url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-applauds-passage-of-protect-college-sports-act/,Hickenlooper Applauds Passage of Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Bill includes Hickenlooper provisions to protect Olympic and non-revenue generating sports WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper welcomed the Senate passage of the Protect College Sports Act, which includes a Hickenlooper negotiated compromise requiring schools that participate in the bill’s new collective media rights framework to protect Olympic and non-revenue sports. The bill also locks in roster and scholarship minimums to prevent the quiet cutting of sports that has accelerated in recent years as college athletics has become an increasingly commercial enterprise. Over the last two years, we’ve seen non-revenue sports get cut, including 415 college teams and 41 Olympic sports programs, affecting at least 1,000 student-athletes across the country. “College athletes have won new rights and a bigger voice, and they deserve both. But the rules changed fast, and the sports that don’t make money were left wondering whether they had a future,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill gives Olympic and non-revenue sports the stability to keep going, and it lets Colorado’s universities plan and invest in athletes across every sport, not just the ones on television. It’s a compromise. Nobody got everything they wanted. But it’s a real answer, and that beats the uncertainty we have now.” Colorado is home to Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs, where there is the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and over 20 National Olympic governing bodies. Earlier this summer, Hickenlooper’s staff worked to ensure the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s interests were protected in the bill. Read the Committee’s full endorsement letter HERE. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-calls-on-trump-ai-ceos-to-work-with-congress-on-responsible-ai-guardrails-ahead-of-white-house-meeting/,"Hickenlooper Calls on Trump, AI CEOs to Work with Congress on Responsible AI Guardrails Ahead of White House Meeting",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"“Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails” WASHINGTON – Ahead of President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson’s expected meeting with leading technology executives Tuesday, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) sent a letter to the president urging him to use the meeting to commit to working with Congress on meaningful federal guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI). “Many of the attendees at this meeting have warned about the risks of unregulated AI and have called for stronger safety measures,” Hickenlooper wrote. “We are in a critical moment, where the White House and Congress must act together to pass safety and transparency measures that keep the American people safe and informed as this technology is developed. Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails, including independent third-party evaluations that will help protect Americans.” Hickenlooper criticized the administration for prioritizing rapid AI development while rolling back federal safeguards and downplaying warnings from AI researchers. “To date, our country has not established transparent, meaningful safeguards to address the growing risks of AI,” Hickenlooper wrote. “You have prioritized accelerating AI development and maintaining a voluntary classified benchmarking process through the National Security Agency for advanced cyber capabilities while rolling back various federal safeguards. In addition, you have publicly called fears from AI researchers a ‘hoax,’ downplaying the potential threats of irresponsible development of this technology.” Hickenlooper called on Trump and technology leaders to work with Congress to: Commit to independent third-party evaluation of America’s most powerful AI models; Establish meaningful accountability when companies knowingly deploy dangerous AI systems; Improve reporting of serious AI incidents and vulnerabilities so government and critical infrastructure operators can respond quickly to emerging threats; Protect communities from the costs of the AI buildout, including ensuring massive data centers pay their own way for their energy consumption rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize them; Protect the American workforce as AI transforms the workplace, by improving forecasting and federal data availability on AI’s impact on jobs and making education and job training programs more effective; and Strengthen U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, protecting American technology and working with our allies and partners to ensure that AI is developed in accordance with our values. Hickenlooper joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss his letter. Watch the interview here. Hickenlooper pointed to a series of recent incidents that demonstrate the growing risks of increasingly powerful AI. This spring, the United States narrowly avoided a potential escalation with China after an intelligence report generated with AI incorrectly identified a Chinese vessel as carrying components for nuclear weapons. More recently, rogue AI agents have broken through cybersecurity safeguards, accessed nonpublic health information on an Australian government website, and meddled with several U.S. government agency websites, including an attempted hack of the Department of Education. Hickenlooper urged Trump and technology leaders to reject the extremes currently dominating the AI debate and instead pursue responsible regulation that preserves innovation while protecting Americans. “To truly achieve a ‘Golden Age’ of America, we need to seize this golden opportunity to bridge the two extremes of the AI debate,” Hickenlooper wrote. “Somewhere between full speed ahead and full stop lies the real opportunity: a chance to develop thoughtful, sensible guardrails that ensure AI is safe, and that it helps everyone, not a select few.” Hickenlooper has introduced bipartisan legislation to responsibly regulate AI, including the VET AI Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop standards and guidelines for independent third-party evaluations of AI systems. Earlier this month, OpenAI publicly backed third-party verification after Anthropic announced it would provide independent evaluators “employee-like access” to its models. Hickenlooper has previously called on the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings with leaders from across the AI industry and urged Congress to enact stronger AI guardrails. For the full text of the letter, click HERE or find below: Dear President Trump: As you and Speaker Johnson prepare to gather with American technology leaders, I write to urge you to use this meeting as an opportunity to commit to working with Congress on meaningful federal guardrails that require greater transparency and safety measures for artificial intelligence. What once felt possible only in science fiction is happening before our eyes in real time. This spring, the United States narrowly avoided a major escalation with China after an intelligence report, based on an AI hallucination, incorrectly identified a Chinese ship in the Middle East as transporting components for nuclear weapons. The U.S. military prepared to intercept and board the vessel before officials learned the truth. The operation was called off, averting a potential crisis. Since then, OpenAI agents have broken through cybersecurity safeguards and exploited vulnerabilities in an attempt to escape the “sandbox” designed to contain them, including working collectively to cover their tracks. Rogue agents have also accessed nonpublic health data on an Australian government website and meddled with several U.S. government agency websites, including an attempted hack of the Department of Education. Earlier this month a top Anthropic researcher resigned with a stark warning about the risks of rapidly accelerating AI. This high level of risk demands urgent action. To date, our country has not established transparent, meaningful safeguards to address the growing risks of AI. You have prioritized accelerating AI development and maintaining a voluntary classified benchmarking process through the National Security Agency for advanced cyber capabilities while rolling back various federal safeguards. In addition, you have publicly called fears from AI researchers a “hoax,” downplaying the potential threats of irresponsible development of this technology. By contrast, three out of four Americans agree that AI firms are not doing enough to prevent disaster. This pursuit of AI leadership at all costs leaves Americans needlessly vulnerable as these systems rapidly become more powerful and potentially uncontrollable. There are many steps we should take on AI that have outsized potential to protect Americans while preserving innovation. These include: Commit to independent third-party evaluation of America’s most powerful AI models; Establish meaningful accountability when companies knowingly deploy dangerous AI systems; Improve reporting of serious AI incidents and vulnerabilities so government and critical infrastructure operators can respond quickly to emerging threats; Protect communities from the costs of the AI buildout, including ensuring massive data centers pay their own way for their energy consumption rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize them; Protect the American workforce as AI transforms the workplace, by improving forecasting and federal data availability on AI’s impact on jobs and making education and job training programs more effective; and Strengthen U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, protecting American technology and working with our allies and partners to ensure that AI is developed in accordance with our values. Rogue AI agents threaten the security of our government systems and reshape the U.S. economy. Many of the attendees at this meeting have warned about the risks of unregulated AI and have called for stronger safety measures. We are in a critical moment where the White House and Congress must act together to pass safety and transparency measures that keep the American people safe and informed as this technology is developed. Now is the time to move beyond warnings and start writing the guardrails, including independent third-party evaluations that will help protect Americans. To truly achieve a “Golden Age” of America, we need to seize this golden opportunity to bridge the two extremes of the AI debate. Somewhere between full speed ahead and full stop lies the real opportunity: a chance to develop thoughtful, sensible guardrails that ensure AI is safe, and that it helps everyone, not a select few. We’re entering a new era of artificial intelligence. And we need stronger tools to protect against consequences both profound and irreversible. Our government must write AI’s rules of the road before we have a head-on collision. And we must do it now. Sincerely, John W. Hickenlooper United States Senator ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/28/bennet-cortez-masto-scott-celebrate-passage-of-hispanic-heritage-month-resolution/,"Bennet, Cortez Masto, Scott Celebrate Passage of Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to pass a resolution recognizing and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every year from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions that the Hispanic and Latino communities have made to American achievements, culture, and history. “The deep roots of the Hispanic community in Colorado are part of what makes Colorado great,” said Bennet. “This month, I’m reflecting on and celebrating the incredible contributions of the 1.3 million Hispanic Coloradans. Our work must continue to uplift Hispanic communities in Colorado and across the country.” “The Hispanic community in the United States is an integral part of the American story,” said Cortez Masto. “This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by Latinos, celebrate our accomplishments, and continue building a better future. This month and every month, I’m proud of my Latina heritage.” “Florida’s Hispanic communities are a vital part of what makes the Sunshine State the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Scott. “Hispanic Americans have shaped Florida’s history, boosted our economy, and strengthened our communities – helping fuel the promise of the American Dream for countless Floridians. I’m proud to join Senator Cortez Masto in leading this resolution to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the incredible history, culture, and countless contributions of Hispanic Americans in Florida and across our nation.” Bennet has cosponsored a Hispanic Heritage Month resolution every year since he began his Senate tenure. In addition to Bennet, Cortez Masto, and Scott, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ashley Moody (R-Fl.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) cosponsored this resolution. The text of the resolution is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/28/bennet-duckworth-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-extend-and-redesignate-temporary-protected-status-for-ukrainians/,"Bennet, Duckworth, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Extend and Redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"The senators call for an 18-month extension and redesignation as TPS for Ukrainians is set to expire next month Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and a bipartisan group of 29 Senate colleagues to demand that the Trump administration issue an 18-month extension and a redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians living in the United States as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his unjustified war of aggression against their homeland. The senators, in their letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscored how a failure to extend TPS ahead of its expiration next month would send thousands of Ukrainians back into a war zone as Putin continues targeting civilian infrastructure ahead of winter. “Current conditions in Ukraine clearly merit the continuation of TPS status. The ongoing war has caused a humanitarian crisis and damage to critical civilian infrastructure that has left many with limited or no access to heat, electricity or medical services. Ukrainian nationals cannot safely return at this time, and allowing TPS to terminate on October 19, 2026, would risk sending more than one hundred thousand individuals back to an active war zone,” wrote the senators. Ukrainian TPS holders have long enriched communities in Colorado and across the nation, both culturally and economically. The senators emphasized that extending TPS for 18-months would protect these vulnerable members of our community from being forcibly returned to dangerous conditions, while ensuring our nation continues to benefit from their ongoing contributions. Bennet has long supported the Ukrainian people’s fight against Putin aggression. He leads legislation in the Senate intelligence and defense bills, both of which have passed their respective committees, to bolster intelligence and drone cooperation with Ukraine. Bennet joined bipartisan colleagues to introduce and pass the Sanctioning Russia Act, severely curtailing Moscow’s war funding by imposing aggressive secondary sanctions on purchases of Russian energy. Bennet also sponsors legislation to expose and punish Russia’s systematic persecution of religious communities in Ukraine and to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to support Ukraine, building on legislation he co-sponsored that former President Joe Biden signed into law in April 2024. Additionally, Bennet has consistently worked to support individuals with TPS from all over the world. In 2022, he called on the Biden administration to grant TPS to Ukrainians in the United States following Putin’s aggression. More recently, Bennet called for Congress to protect TPS holders in June 2026 after the Supreme Court decision expanding President Trump’s authority to dismantle legal immigration, tear apart families, and hurt communities across Colorado and the country. He also joined colleagues on a letter to the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security urging them to issue an extension for those from Sudan under TPS. In addition to Bennet and Duckworth, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed the letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Mullin and Secretary Rubio: We strongly urge you to issue an 18-month extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine prior to the impending October 19, 2026, termination date. Ukraine is currently in the fifth year of a large-scale war with Russia, which has led to ongoing civilian casualties, significant damage to critical infrastructure and the displacement of broad swaths of the population. An extension of TPS for Ukraine would protect current TPS beneficiaries from being forced to return to an active war zone, while a redesignation would expand those protections to the population of Ukrainian nationals who arrived after October 20, 2023. Ukraine was initially designated for TPS on April 19, 2022, on the basis of ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions caused by Russia’s military actions within the country. In its designation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the U.S. Department of State, cited regular artillery attacks and airstrikes by Russia’s military forces, serious human rights abuses and the widespread destruction of critical infrastructure. Subsequent reviews of in-country conditions found that the situation in the country had not sufficiently improved; accordingly, TPS for Ukraine was extended and redesignated through April 19, 2025, and extended once more beginning on April 20, 2025. The war in Ukraine—the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II—is ongoing, as are the same extraordinary and temporary conditions that warrant the continued protection of Ukrainian nationals currently residing in the United States. International observers report a trend of steadily increasing civilian casualties from year to year, with approximately 17,000 civilian deaths and more than 50,000 civilian injuries since the outbreak of the war in 2022. These casualties, coupled with significant damage to civilian infrastructure, constrained access to health care and substantial population displacement have created a profound crisis, with approximately 10.8 million Ukrainians in need of humanitarian assistance. The facts on the ground paint a clear picture: sending Ukrainians back now would risk returning them to life threatening conditions. Protecting the approximately 101,000 Ukrainian TPS holders currently living in the United States is a humanitarian imperative, but also a sound economic decision. Thanks to the work authorization granted by their TPS status, Ukrainian TPS holders have contributed approximately $2.6 billion to our economy each year and have provided approximately $716 million in taxes annually. In States like Illinois, thousands of Ukrainian TPS holders make our communities stronger not only through their rich cultural contributions, but also through their participation in critical sectors, including transportation, health care and construction. Terminating TPS for this population risks disrupting these industries, increasing costs for American consumers by forcing thousands of experienced workers out of their jobs. Current conditions in Ukraine clearly merit the continuation of TPS status. The ongoing war has caused a humanitarian crisis and damage to critical civilian infrastructure has left many with limited or no access to heat, electricity or medical services. Ukrainian nationals cannot safely return at this time, and allowing TPS to terminate on October 19, 2026, would risk sending more than one hundred thousand individuals back to an active war zone. Ukrainian TPS holders contribute greatly to our communities, both culturally and economically. To ensure that eligible Ukrainian nationals currently in the United States can continue living and working safely while conditions in their home country remain perilous, we urge you issue an extension and redesignation of TPS for Ukraine. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/25/bennet-murray-schumer-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-end-trumps-trade-war-with-canada-lower-costs/,"Bennet, Murray, Schumer, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to End Trump’s Trade War with Canada & Lower Costs",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over trade and tariffs, joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to introduce legislation that would revoke President Trump’s newest global tariffs and 50 percent tariffs on Canada, and curtail Trump’s ability to continue waging his unilateral trade war. Trump has continued to ignore skyrocketing costs and, now, has hit American families with a new round of tariff taxes. “Americans are tired of paying for Trump’s tariff war,” said Bennet. “As costs continue to rise, the Trump administration has doubled down on making everyday goods more expensive while insisting that the economy has never been better. Democrats refuse to play along with this alternate reality; that’s why I’m joining my Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that blocks Trump’s tariffs and refunds the money back to Coloradans.” “Trump’s erratic and senseless trade war is nothing short of economic arson — no business can plan around Trump’s unpredictable tariffs, American credibility is shot, and costs are up,” said Murray. “While Republicans are enabling Trump’s economic sabotage, Democrats are fighting to put an end to these reckless tariffs. That’s why we’re introducing this legislation to block and refund Trump’s tariffs so we can focus on growing the economy for everyone and making life affordable again.” “While inflation rages, families struggle to pay their bills, and small businesses close, Trump – detached from reality – continues his bluster on the global stage, doubling down on a chaotic trade war that has meant only pain for American families, farmers, and manufacturers,” said Leader Schumer. “Republicans won’t stand up to Trump’s nonsense and Americans are crying out for relief. That’s why I am introducing legislation that would end Trump’s costly tariff taxes.” Since Trump started his latest trade war, American families have paid the price. In just one year, Trump’s tariff tax cost the average family nearly $2,000, with hardworking Americans bearing 96 percent of the cost of the hundreds of billions of dollars in new tariffs. Still, Trump has been undeterred by the chaos and pain his trade war has wrought and continues to double down on the global stage. The End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act would revoke and refund Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs and repeal the archaic authorities he has used to continue his trade war. This legislation would apply to Trump’s newest global tariffs of 12.5 percent and 50 percent tariffs on Canada. In February, Bennet released legislation requiring full refunds of President Trump’s illegal tariffs after the U.S. Supreme Court struck them down. In May 2025, Bennet introduced the Tariff Transparency Act, legislation that would require the independent, bipartisan U.S. International Trade Commission to issue a report on the economic effects of recent and proposed tariffs. In January 2025, Bennet wrote to members of the Trump administration calling for a comprehensive approach to international economic policy that goes beyond tariffs. In addition to Bennet, Murray, and Schumer, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angus King (Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsored this legislation. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/25/bennet-slotkin-colleagues-demand-answers-from-hegseth-on-cost-of-iran-war/,"Bennet, Slotkin, Colleagues Demand Answers from Hegseth on Cost of Iran War",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"President Trump’s Pentagon Has Greatly Underestimated the Iran War’s Costs Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and 43 Senate colleagues, including fellow Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper, to demand a full accounting of the costs of President Trump’s reckless war of choice with Iran. The senators criticized the President’s hand-picked Department of Defense leadership for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public, even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase. The United States is now more than six months into a conflict President Trump initially said would last six weeks. NineteenAmerican servicemembers have been killed and more than 820 wounded, and over 50,000 troops are currently deployed to the Middle East. In the letter, the senators note that deployments have been repeatedly extended, and that their offices have heard directly from military families worried about loved ones serving in the conflict. “Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” wrote the senators. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.” In their letter, the senators highlight the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime practice, noting that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has briefed Congress only seven times in six months and held just eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the war began, compared to more than 70 press briefings in the first month of the Iraq War alone. The senators also criticized the administration’s public supplemental funding request as a seven-page document offering only vague line items, in contrast to the detailed, hundred-page supplemental requests provided to Congress during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The senators requested that the Department of Defense provide: A detailed breakdown of all direct and indirect costs of military operations against Iran to date, including damage to installations, aircraft, and equipment. A full accounting of the $67 billion supplemental request, specifying what covers past costs versus future operations. A detailed plan for how the Pentagon intends to spend the remaining $34 billion from the sprawling 2025 Republican reconciliation bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “Despite asking for tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars, you have so far failed to provide basic information on how this money has and will be spent,” continued the senators. “Congress must have access to this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities. It is the bare minimum that any American would expect in balancing their own household budget.” Bennet has persistently fought to rein in President Trump’s unauthorized war with Iran. In August 2026, Bennet and Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and 15 of their Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce legislation that would stop the Trump administration from obscuring the true cost of President Trump’s disastrous war from the American people. Bennet has voted for several War Powers Resolutions directing the President to end his war with Iran. Bennet also joined U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen and the Colorado Democratic delegation in a letter to Trump demanding answers about his administration’s plan to lower gasoline prices, which the President spiked by launching his reckless war with Iran. In March 2026, Bennet also questioned President Trump’s intelligence agency leaders, including Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe, about Trump’s failure to act on assessments regarding a war with Iran. In addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Slotkin, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-IlI.), Richard Durbin (D-IlI.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed this letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Hegseth: We write regarding the Department of Defense’s failure to provide the American people with basic information about the war with Iran and its cost to taxpayers, even as the human costs of this war rise. More than six months into a war that the President said would last six weeks, 18 American servicemembers have been killed, 824 have been wounded, and more than 50,000 troops are currently deployed in the Middle East. Our troops have had their deployments extended repeatedly, as with the USS Lincoln and now the 82nd Airborne. Our offices have all received outreach from military families concerned about the safety and well-being of their loved ones serving and sacrificing in this war. Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war.1 Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan. Based on the little information provided, the Department says it has already spent $42 billion on this war, though unofficial estimates put that figure much higher.2 In June, you formally asked the American taxpayers to foot the bill for a $67 billion Iran war supplemental request.3 This is on top of the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2027 budget request.4 And all of these pending requests come while the Department still has $34 billion in unspent funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.5 In the last week, the Congressional Budget Office and the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General have issued their own reports with inconsistent numbers. Despite your stated needs, you have repeatedly refused to share basic information that previous Administrations, Republican and Democratic, provided to the American public and Congress during times of war. Donald Rumsfeld, as Secretary of Defense during the Iraq War, briefed Congress more than 20 times in the first six months of that war.6 In his briefings, he publicly provided granular detail about the war, including objectives; precise figures on damaged aircraft; quality of life for our troops—down to the number of days it took to deliver mail; and detailed breakdowns for transportation, operational support, and munitions replenishment costs in the supplemental request.7 In stark contrast, you have briefed Congress just seven times in that same period and, in those appearances, refused to answer basic questions about the objectives and cost of this war. Your Department has held only eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the start of the Iran War, compared to more than 70 in the first month of the Iraq War alone.8 This lack of basic information extends to the Pentagon’s spending. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress regularly received public supplemental requests that were more than a hundred pages long, with detailed explanations for how funding would be used, down to the number of barrels of fuel. In contrast, your public $67 billion Iran war supplemental request was a thin, seven-page document with only vague descriptions, such as “$1.2 billion for Administration priorities.” Despite asking for tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars, you have so far failed to provide basic information on how this money has and will be spent. Congress must have access to this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities. It is the bare minimum that any American would expect in balancing their own household budget. You shared this belief before entering government. In 2012, you criticized the Department’s ability to “shift literally hundreds of millions of dollars from program to program with little accountability.” You added, “[r]eforming the culture at the Pentagon to bring greater spending accountability will be difficult, but it’s long overdue.”10 And just last year, you said that “the American taxpayers deserve” to know where their money goes, “how it’s spent and make sure it’s spent wisely.”11 We agree. Given this, we request the following information to inform the Senate’s decision-making by September 30, 2026. Cost of the Iran War: Please provide a detailed breakdown for the cost of military operations against Iran to date, inclusive of all direct and indirect costs attributable to the conflict. This should include damage to military installations, aircraft, and equipment; cost to refurbish deployed ships and aircraft; and expected benefits for veterans. $67 Billion Iran War Supplemental: Please provide a breakdown of the Administration’s supplemental request, including a detailed accounting for each major funding category and estimated expenses for the war in Iran. This breakdown should identify which portions of the request are intended to reimburse costs already incurred, which are intended to fund anticipated future operations, and which are unrelated to military operations against Iran. Please also note potential future funding requirements not included in the request, such as repairing military installations. One Big Beautiful Bill Act Funding: Please provide a detailed accounting of how the $34 billion remaining from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be spent, on what timeline, and whether any of these funds will support operations related to the Iran war. The American people elected us to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars. The information we are requesting is the bare minimum required for us to carry out that responsibility. We look forward to receiving your response. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/25/bennet-young-reintroduce-legislation-to-combat-national-eviction-crisis/,"Bennet, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Combat National Eviction Crisis",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), members of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced the updated Eviction Crisis Act of 2026. This legislation would address our urgent national eviction crisis, creating an emergency rental assistance program to reduce preventable evictions and making it easier for American families to stay securely housed. “Today, an illness, a car accident, or a family emergency can lead to a family being evicted from their home and falling into a cycle of poverty,” said Bennet. “The hardship caused by eviction is agonizing for the millions of American families facing it every year, and that harm reverberates across our communities. As a former school superintendent, I saw kids unable to stay awake in class because they didn’t have a stable place to sleep the night before. I’ve heard from many Coloradans about how one misstep led to their lives falling apart. Our Eviction Crisis Act will both prevent eviction and limit the harm when it is unavoidable.” “Many families are one unexpected expense away from losing the stability that comes with having a place to call home,” said Young. “The Eviction Crisis Act would help prevent avoidable evictions by better coordinating tenants, landlords, and municipalities to address housing instability before it becomes a crisis. Passing this bill will help more Hoosiers families stay in their homes.” Our country’s eviction crisis is driven by a national affordable housing shortage that is particularly acute for low-income renters. In 2024, the Congressional Research Service calculated that 49.4 percent of renter households spent more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs and 26.2 percent of renter households spent more than half. Denver recorded 15,953 eviction filings in 2025, just seven fewer than the city’s record set in 2024 and 72 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The Colorado Judicial Branch also reported 41,482 sheriff-involved evictions in county courts in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the Eviction Crisis Act of 2026 will improve data and analysis on evictions, reduce preventable evictions, mitigate eviction-related consequences, and strengthen protections for renters in tenant screening reports. “Eviction isn’t just a consequence of poverty; it’s a cause of poverty. Yet we allow millions of Americans to face the threat of eviction each year. Families with children are at particularly high risk of eviction. Many evicted families lose their home and possessions, often falling into homelessness. Research shows that eviction thwarts economic mobility and is linked to long-term negative health outcomes. Passing the Eviction Crisis Act would be a big step forward, deepening our understanding of the problem and preventing families from the devastating consequences of displacement. Everyone needs a safe and affordable home. I commend Senators Bennet and Young for their efforts and look forward to working with them to pass this bill into law,” said Matthew Desmond, scholar and Pulitzer Prize Winning author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. “Solving America’s housing and homelessness crisis must begin with addressing the forces that drive displacement. Getting people into homes they don’t yet have is urgent and critical, but we cannot focus only on pulling families out of homelessness; we must keep them from losing their homes in the first place. The Eviction Crisis Act recognizes that eviction prevention must be made as central a national priority as housing production, stepping in before a temporary setback becomes a life-altering disruption and breaking the momentum of loss before it hardens into permanence,” said Brian Goldstone, journalist and Pulitzer Prize Winning Author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. “We’re honored to continue this critically important work with Senator Bennet to support low-income renters who are struggling with rising housing costs due to inflation, lack of housing supply, and a failure to invest in households with the greatest need. Homelessness doesn’t happen in a vacuum but is a direct result of housing instability due to rising housing costs and the lack of support for low-income households who are struggling every day to make ends meet. Making investments like the ones proposed by the Eviction Crisis Act will not only help our most marginalized households stay stably housed, it’s a better use of taxpayer resources than expensive spending demanded by the emergency services required to address homelessness,” said Cathy Alderman, Chief Communications and Public Policy Officer for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “BPC Action commends Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Todd Young (R-IN) for leading the Eviction Crisis Act, which would create an emergency assistance program for at-risk households, establish a national evictions database, and fund community courts and diversion programs. For too many families, unexpected hardship—such as job loss or medical expenses—makes rent unaffordable, triggering homelessness and poverty cycles. This legislation is a necessary investment to stabilize housing and economic opportunity, and we look forward to working with Congress to enact it,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “The new version of the Eviction Crisis Act will help communities prevent homelessness and provide important data that will take that work further in coming years. The bill will mean older adults, families with children, young people, people with disabilities, and others at the greatest risk will have more stable housing, an essential element for addressing other issues. We are grateful to Representative Bennet for his longstanding commitment to better housing for Americans,” said Ann Oliva, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness. “For millions of households, one broken-down car, one unexpected medical bill, or a reduction in work hours could result in an eviction. The ‘Eviction Crisis Act,’ developed and advanced by NLIHC’s Opportunity Starts at Home campaign, would help to ensure that renters will not lose their homes because of a single unforeseen expense. No one should have to face losing their home because of one temporary financial setback. I applaud Senators Michael Bennet and Todd Young for their leadership in introducing this important legislation and advancing meaningful solutions to the national housing crisis. I urge Congress to pass this bill quickly,” said Renee M. Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Bennet has consistently fought for practical solutions to our nation’s eviction and housing affordability crisis; originally introducing the Eviction Crisis Act in 2019. In April 2026, Bennet led 17 of his colleagues in urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to expand eviction prevention legal assistance. In the letter, Bennet and his colleagues request $50 million for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Eviction Protection Grant Program. In August 2022, Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) led a group of lawmakers urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to take several steps to enact stronger protections for residents living in mobile home parks, also called Manufactured Housing Communities, backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the FHFA oversees. In May 2022, Bennet called on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to increase funding for successful housing programs that help prevent evictions and boost the country’s housing supply in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill. That same month, Bennet and Young led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service requesting swift finalization of the average income test rule under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. In March 2022, Bennet and Hickenlooper joined former Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and several bipartisan colleagues in urging the U.S. Treasury Department not to change Emergency Rental Assistance 2 guidelines for states like Colorado that have met the ERA requirements set by Congress. In October 2021, Bennet joined a group of his colleagues in a letter to Former President Joe Biden, Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urging them to ensure that comprehensive housing investments remain in the Build Back Better plan. In February 2020, Bennet and Former House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) introduced the Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act, bicameral legislation to keep more Americans in their homes by establishing a competitive grant program to provide legal assistance at no cost to eligible tenants facing eviction. The text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE. Additional supportive quotes from organizations are available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/25/icymi-bennet-calls-for-new-federal-agency-to-prevent-catastrophic-ai-risk/,ICYMI: Bennet Calls for New Federal Agency to Prevent Catastrophic AI Risk,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Video of Bennet’s interview on The Source with Kaitlan Collins can be found HERE. Washington, D.C. — This week, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced a new proposal to create an independent federal agency to regulate frontier artificial intelligence (AI) models and social media platforms. In an interview with Kaitlan Collins on CNN’s The Source last night, Bennet contrasted his call for an independent federal AI regulator with what he described as President Donald Trump’s failure to establish meaningful safeguards. He emphasized that Trump was more focused on his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the tech executives gathered at the White House than on addressing the concerns Americans are facing, including the need for AI regulation, high diesel prices, and high mortgage rates. CNN — The Source Collins: You want to establish an independent agency, basically, to regulate AI. How would that work? Bennet: It would have a five-member commission, like some other independent commissions, and we would have clear pre-clearance for these frontier models before they escape from these companies and wreak havoc throughout our world potentially. And there is a very serious set of fines. I mean, what I say in this proposal is that we should fine these guys as much as a third of their trailing revenue if they’re unwilling to submit themselves to a system of transparency, to a system of accountability, Kaitlin. When there are people in these companies saying that there might be a 10 percent chance, or a 15 or 20 percent chance that humanity could be destroyed by AI, we need to listen to that. We need to pay attention to that, and we need to deal with it in an orderly way – not so we don’t innovate – we should innovate. I want us to lead the Chinese, but we should do it in a thoughtful, common sense way. That’s not the way Donald Trump approaches any of these questions. But I think the American people are demanding it. Bloomberg – Balance of Power Mathieu: Well, he’s trying deliberately to play the right hand on AI, and you’ve got an important piece of legislation that’s trying to get to this. We’ve had a robust debate here. And the President, speaking on Truth Social earlier, says that America and China see eye to eye. We’re taking our hands off the wheel here. This is not a matter of regulation. He says we have something called the DOJ. You have something that would propose a new federal agency to prevent what you call catastrophic AI risks and regulate big tech. How would it work? Bennet: First of all, I don’t think there’s anyone in America who thinks that China and the U.S. think eye to eye on AI except for President Trump. What I’ve said is that we need to have a cop on the beat here. We have nobody whose day job is to represent the American people with respect to the developers of AI, for that matter, of social media. We should have an independent agency of experts that come here just like we, you know, set up, in the early part of the century, to be able to do the regulatory work that’s needed. Congress cannot get out of its own way. We’ve proven that. We will never pass a bill to meaningfully deal with this, and the states can’t do it by themselves. We need a thoughtful approach that will come from a regulatory agency that will survive from one presidency to the next, and that’s got the teeth to be able to find these guys if they are pursuing models that could threaten, for example, the extinction of humanity. I mean, this is something that we have to grapple with. We have to get a hold of it. And it doesn’t surprise me that our current structures of government are not set up to deal with it. This is new, just like airplanes were once new, just like nuclear weapons, armaments were once new. We need an agency, just like we have for those other important changes in our economy that’s focused on this 24/7. Here’s what they’re saying: Politico: AI BILL FRENZY The AI Regulator Act builds off their previous bill, the Digital Platform Commission Act, which would establish an agency tasked with regulating digital platforms. The latest bill would give the proposed agency the power to pause the release of models that pose catastrophic risk and issue formal rules. “The Federal Digital Commission would keep pace with innovation, act before serious harm occurs, and have the authority to hold companies accountable when they break the rules,” Bennet added. Colorado Springs FOX (KXRM) Colorado Senator Michael Bennet proposes a new federal agency to oversee artificial intelligence and big tech. This would give the agency power to review some front-tier AI models before they’re released. And in some circumstances, pause a rollout for up to 6 months. It would also have investigative and rulemaking authority, which potentially finds up to 15 percent of a company’s global revenue. Right now, Bennet says existing federal agencies are not equipped to keep up with AI’s rapid development. It’s moving faster than Congress will ever keep up. That’s why I’m proposing an independent agency with the expertise and authority to protect the American people and keep pace with AI. Grand Junction CBS (KREX) Well, Senator Michael Bennet is proposing a new federal agency to oversee artificial intelligence and major tech companies. Under the plan, the agency could review some advanced AI models before they’re released and, in certain cases, delay a rollout for up to six months. The agency would also have the power to investigate companies, create regulations, and issue fines of up to 15 percent of a company’s global revenue. Bennet says current federal agencies are not equipped to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI. It’s moving faster than Congress will ever keep up. That’s why I’m proposing an independent agency with the expertise and authority to protect the American people and keep pace with AI. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-mccormick-celebrate-formation-of-senate-bipartisan-science-and-innovation-caucus/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper, McCormick Celebrate Formation of Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"In case you missed it, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Dave McCormick joined scientists, researchers, and legislative staff at a kickoff event last week at the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the formation of their U.S. Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus. Watch the highlights of the kickoff event HERE. “If you were to look at the things that distinguish America, most notable would be our investments in science and the parallel expansion in growth and entrepreneurship at the highest level,” said Hickenlooper at the kickoff event last week. “We’ve led the world in scientific knowledge and expansion in growth, and we’ve had the economy that comes with that… That’s why we’re here to make sure we maintain our lead.” “Pennsylvania has some of the best universities, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the world, and the breakthroughs happening across our Commonwealth are creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and advancing our national security,” said McCormick. “This caucus is about making sure we build on that incredible momentum, turn great American research into real-world innovation, and ensure Pennsylvania and the United States continue to lead the world in science and technology.” The Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus will highlight and elevate American scientific research and the application of those discoveries to promote innovation. Caucus members will work together with industry leaders and the research community to develop policies that promote U.S. leadership in science. Hickenlooper and McCormick plan to host briefings, engage in roundtables and other conversations about existing and new policies, and provide a venue for discourse about new legislation to boost American scientific research and our STEM workforce. Watch the launch video for the caucus on Hickenlooper’s X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts The United States has been a global economic leader for the past 50 years because of our dedication to science, technology, and innovation. Federally-funded research led to the invention of optical fibers, microchips, personal computers, mobile phones, robotics, cutting-edge medicine, and more. Jobs in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine make up 34% of the U.S. workforce. Economic activity from these fields generates 39% of U.S. GDP – over $10 trillion dollars. The United States spends only 3% of its GDP on research and development (R&D) and innovation. Federally funded R&D dollars are doubled in returns: every $1 invested generates nearly $2 in economic output. This is substantially higher than the returns on other forms of federal investment. China is overtaking the United States in R&D funding, graduating more PhDs in STEM programs, filing more international patents than the U.S., and narrowing the gap on venture capital investment. Hickenlooper is a former geologist and a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/24/bennet-cassidy-cortez-masto-collins-coons-wicker-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-provide-tax-relief-for-americorps-volunteers/,"Bennet, Cassidy, Cortez Masto, Collins, Coons, Wicker Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Relief for AmeriCorps Volunteers",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) led Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to reintroduce the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. This legislation would provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earn Segal Education Awards to help pay for higher education costs that they earn through their service. “In Colorado and across the country, AmeriCorps volunteers contribute to our communities and help improve the lives of our kids and neighbors through countless hours of service,” said Bennet. “Congress should recognize their commitment and help them further their education without this unnecessary burden. I’m grateful to work with my colleagues to ensure the education assistance they earn is not unfairly taxed.” “Life in every parish has been improved by AmeriCorps members,” said Cassidy. “From stopping crime to helping communities after a hurricane, their service ought to be rewarded, not unfairly taxed.” “AmeriCorps members provide a lifeline to communities and students across the country, and they shouldn’t be taxed for their education awards,” said Cortez Masto. “Our bipartisan bill will eliminate this unfair tax on their service and help them keep their education costs down.” “AmeriCorps members make significant contributions to communities in Maine and across the country,” said Collins. “The Education Award they earn helps them pursue higher education or pay down student loan debt and should not be subject to federal income tax. This bipartisan legislation would ensure they receive the full benefit of the assistance they earned through their service.” “Young people who join AmeriCorps sacrifice higher salaries in order to dedicate an enormous amount of time and energy to helping communities in need,” said Coons. “We should celebrate that service and make sure it sets members on a path to affordable education and good jobs. This bill will ensure that those who choose to help their neighbors receive the full value of their education stipend to continue building on skills learned during their service year.” “Mississippians in AmeriCorps provide great service to our communities,” said Wicker. “Our legislation honors their commitments by eliminating the unnecessary taxes on the benefits they have earned.” AmeriCorps members who complete a full term of service earn a Segal Education Award equal to the maximum Pell Grant amount ($7,395 for 2026-2027). AmeriCorps members can use the award to pay college costs or to pay down student loan debt. Since the program launched in 1994, nearly one million AmeriCorps members have earned Segal Education Awards. Currently, Segal Education Awards are considered taxable income. This legislation would exclude these awards from income tax, to reflect the intent of federal education awards, help those serving pay for college, and remove a barrier that may discourage young people from taking advantage of the financial assistance they’ve earned. “AmeriCorps members earn their Education Award through service, yet when they use it for college or student loans, they can face an unexpected federal tax bill. That’s a tax on service. We don’t tax Pell Grants or GI Bill benefits, and we shouldn’t tax the AmeriCorps Education Award. We’re grateful to Senators Bennet and Cassidy for leading this bipartisan effort to make the Education Award tax-free and ensure AmeriCorps members can use what they earned through service to build their futures,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service. “National service should open doors, not create new hurdles. For more than three decades, AmeriCorps members have strengthened communities across the country, and more than a million have earned the Segal Education Award to help pay for college or repay student loans. Treating that award as taxable income undercuts the very spirit of service it was meant to honor. The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act is a bipartisan, common-sense fix, and we applaud Senators Michael Bennet and Bill Cassidy for their leadership,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. This legislation is supported by 71 organizations, including Voices for National Service, With Honor, CoGenerate, Generation Schools Network, Hunger Free America, America’s Service Commissions, States for Service Coalitions, Conservation Legacy, Deans for Impact, and Mile High Youth Corps. A full list of supporters is available HERE. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/24/icymi-on-senate-floor-bennet-calls-on-trump-to-rescind-unscientific-vaccine-order-and-fire-hhs-secretary-kennedy/,"ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Bennet Calls on Trump to Rescind Unscientific Vaccine Order and Fire HHS Secretary Kennedy",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Video of Bennet’s Full Remarks Available HERE Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet reiterated his call for President Donald Trump to rescind the unscientific childhood vaccine executive order and fire the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. last night on the Senate floor. Bennet’s speech comes when measles cases are at 30-year highs across the country and Colorado is seeing the sixth-lowest measles vaccination rate in the nation for kindergarteners. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are amplifying anti-vaccine rhetoric instead of making communities safer. Immunization rates are dropping, schools are vulnerable, and Colorado’s children are paying the price. “Right now our nation is living through the most severe measles outbreak in over 35 years. Measles is not a mild childhood inconvenience; it is one of the most contagious viruses on earth, capable of causing high fevers, brain swelling, long-term disability, and death. In Colorado, we have already confirmed 25 cases this year, including seven hospitalizations,” said Bennet on the Senate floor. “Of these cases, 22 people were unvaccinated. Of the 25 that have measles in Colorado today, 22 were unvaccinated. That’s the most we’ve had in over 30 years. You have to go back to 1995 to find an outbreak in my state that’s even close to what we’re seeing today. We’re going backwards when it comes to public health in the richest country in the world, and families in Colorado and all across this country are suffering the consequences.” Bennet emphasized that Colorado’s measles cases are particularly disappointing given the state’s history: it was a 1988 outbreak at Fort Lewis College in Durango that directly prompted the CDC to change its vaccine recommendation from one dose to two. This followed a rigorous investigation by CDC investigators. Bennet highlighted the sharp contrast of following the facts with the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy who are playing political games with people’s health. He concluded by saying, “I think we should be having a debate in this country about the state of health care in the United States of America and about the ways in which we failed this generation and the next generation in providing a system that actually delivers better health care at a reasonable price and mental health care at a reasonable price, instead of plunging people into further misery or into bankruptcy. I wish we were having that debate on the Senate floor, but we can’t begin to have that until the basic facts about science and medicine are taken seriously by this administration. “The president should start by rescinding his executive order today on childhood vaccines. He should fire Secretary Kennedy, as I have long called for. But until that happens – and I don’t think it’s going to happen in the foreseeable future – until that happens, we’re going to be stuck fighting battles against a disease that we functionally eliminated 30 years ago. Kids and families in Colorado and all across this country deserve so much better than that.” Bennet has consistently fought against Trump and Kennedy’s anti-science agenda. Last week, Bennet questioned HHS Deputy Secretary Nominee Chris Klomp during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee about Trump and Kennedy’s reckless vaccine efforts resulting in chaos and confusion for children and families. Last month, Bennet led 90 of his Congressional colleagues demanding Trump rescind his executive order that directs federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encourages states to reconsider school immunization requirements. Bennet issued a statement immediately following the announcement of Trump’s executive order directing federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encouraging states to reconsider school immunization requirements. In April 2026, Bennet questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his skepticism of childhood vaccines amidst the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in over thirty years. Additionally, in March 2025 and 2026, Bennet joined in sending a letter to Kennedy to demand the department reverse changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration websites that promote false and dangerous information about autism. In September 2025, he questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his actions undermining vaccine safety and access for American families. Bennet also joined members of the Senate Finance Committee in issuing a statement calling on Kennedy to resign due to the danger he poses to America’s health, his lies to Congress, and his spread of disinformation. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-details-expansive-costs-of-iran-war-in-senate-floor-speech-ahead-of-vote-to-end-war/,Hickenlooper Details Expansive Costs of Iran War in Senate Floor Speech Ahead of Vote to End War,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper: “You’re paying for this war every day: when you fill up your tank, buy your groceries, and pay your rent.” This afternoon, Hickenlooper voted to end the war in Iran WASHINGTON – Ahead of a Senate vote to end the Iran war, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor yesterday and highlighted the true costs of the war that go beyond the Pentagon’s estimate of $43.6 billion. He urged his Republican colleagues to break with the president to end the illegal, costly war. “I don’t want to talk about what that 43 billion dollars includes. Today, I want to talk about what that number doesn’t include,” said Hickenlooper on the Senate floor. “Wars aren’t measured just in dollars and cents. It is measured in lives lost, whether Americans feel safer and better off.” Watch his full speech HERE. “Take the 19 brave servicemembers whose deaths have been disclosed by the Pentagon. That is 19 families who have lost someone irreplaceable. In just a few weeks, children will trick-or-treat without a parent. A few weeks later, families will gather for Thanksgiving with an empty seat at the table,” he continued. Hickenlooper raised the deeply concerning reports that suggest the Pentagon has not properly disclosed the real casualty numbers of the war. “Reports say that the Pentagon is not being transparent with Congress or the American people. What we know is every one of those lives deserves our gratitude. And every one of those families deserves an accurate accounting of this war’s human cost.” He continued to emphasize the toll on all of our servicemembers deployed in the region, “Since February, more than 800 servicemembers have been wounded in the Middle East. Some went days without receiving adequate hospital care. Many face life-altering injuries… Back at home, their loved ones are left worrying and wondering whether they will be home for the holidays.” He also noted how the Iran war has weakened our national security and undermined our position in the global economy. “Since June, the war has consumed between half and two-thirds of our key missile-defense interceptors. Even with increased production, it will take at least five years to rebuild those stockpiles. Every interceptor we fire in Iran is one we don’t have for future combat. “At the same time, we’ve shown Iran it can seize control of one of the world’s most critical waterways and bring global trade to its knees. A quarter of the world’s oil and a third of the world’s fertilizer trade used to flow through the Strait of Hormuz. No longer. We’ve given our adversaries a roadmap and even a test drive for holding the global economy hostage, which the Houthis have already exploited in the Bab el Mandeb Strait.” Hickenlooper also detailed how the war in Iran has increased gas, diesel, and grocery prices for Americans. “Before the war, the national average for diesel was $3.72 per gallon. This week, it’s over $6.50 per gallon. That’s a nearly 75% increase. That means a small farmer using 1,000 gallons of diesel during a harvest is paying roughly $2,800 more just to do the same work. Even Republicans have said it: this is ‘killing farmers’ income.’ “The war is also impacting Americans’ grocery bills. Between July 2025 and July 2026, fresh vegetable prices have increased over 6%, beef has climbed over 9%, and tomatoes have gone up nearly 13%. You shouldn’t have to be a millionaire to drive to the grocery store and feed your family.” He also highlighted how the war has hurt prospective homeowners, increasing interest rates. “Before the Iran war, the average 30-year mortgage rate was hovering at around 6% – still too high for many families. Today? It’s above 7%. For the average Colorado homebuyer, that difference adds up fast. That’s a mortgage that’s $280 more every month. Almost $4,000 every year. And over $100,000 over a 30-year mortgage.” Hickenlooper has introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran and has voted repeatedly to end the president’s war. Last week, Hickenlooper also spoke on the Senate floor calling out President Trump’s corruption and the cost-of-living emergency that he’s created. For a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks as prepared for delivery is available below: Mr. President, 43.6 billion dollars and counting. That’s the Pentagon’s estimate for how much it has spent on the illegal war in Iran. That’s a lot of money. In fact, it’s so much money that if every American family gave $500, you still wouldn’t have enough to pay for this war. The missiles. The munitions. The warships. Over 43 billion dollars of your taxpayer money wasted for no discernible benefit. But I don’t want to talk about what that 43 billion dollars includes. Today, I want to talk about what that number doesn’t include. Wars aren’t measured just in dollars and cents. It is measured in lives lost, whether Americans feel safer and better off. And by those accounts, the costs are enormous. Take the 19 brave servicemembers whose deaths have been disclosed by the Pentagon. That is 19 families who have lost someone irreplaceable. In just a few weeks, children will trick-or-treat without a parent. A few weeks later, families will gather for Thanksgiving with an empty seat at the table. “I will never recover from this,” one widow wrote on social media. What’s even more heartbreaking is that we don’t know exactly how many servicemembers have died in the Middle East amid this war. Reports say that the Pentagon is not being transparent with Congress or the American people. What we know is every one of those lives deserves our gratitude. And every one of those families deserves an accurate accounting of this war’s human cost. Since February, more than 800 servicemembers have been wounded in the Middle East. Some went days without receiving adequate hospital care. Many face life-altering injuries. Tens of thousands of their fellow servicemembers are still deployed, fighting a war that this administration still refuses to call a war. Back at home, their loved ones are left worrying and wondering whether they will be home for the holidays. You won’t find those costs in the 43 billion dollar price tag. Then there’s the staggering cost to America’s national security. Since June, the war has consumed between half and two-thirds of our key missile-defense interceptors. Even with increased production, it will take at least five years to rebuild those stockpiles. Every interceptor we fire in Iran is one we don’t have for future combat. Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases, along with our relationships with the allies and partners who agreed to host them as a bulwark against Iran. That premise has been turned on its head. At the same time, we’ve shown Iran it can seize control of one of the world’s most critical waterways and bring global trade to its knees. A quarter of the world’s oil and a third of the world’s fertilizer trade used to flow through the Strait of Hormuz. No longer. We’ve given our adversaries a roadmap and even a test drive for holding the global economy hostage, which the Houthis have already exploited in the Bab el Mandeb Strait. America’s adversaries are celebrating our distraction, this futility, and these mounting costs. Every dollar we spend on Iran is a dollar we’re not spending modernizing our military to protect against the threat of an ascendant China. Every warship that’s deployed to the Arabian Sea is one less warship that’s available to protect the South China Sea. But you won’t find those costs in the $43 billion price tag. Then there’s the cost to YOU, the American people. You’re paying for this war every day: when you fill up your tank, buy your groceries, and pay your rent. Before the war, the national average for diesel was $3.72 per gallon. This week, it’s over $6.50 per gallon. That’s a nearly 75% increase. That means a small farmer using 1,000 gallons of diesel during a harvest is paying roughly $2,800 more just to do the same work. Even Republicans have said it: this is quote “killing farmers’ income.” The war is also impacting Americans’ grocery bills. Between July 2025 and July 2026, fresh vegetable prices have increased over 6%, beef has climbed over 9%, and tomatoes have gone up nearly 13%. You shouldn’t have to be a millionaire to drive to the grocery store and feed your family. Few have felt the financial costs of this war more than prospective homebuyers. Before the Iran war, the average 30-year mortgage rate was hovering at around 6% – still too high for many families. Today? It’s above 7%. For the average Colorado homebuyer, that difference adds up fast. That’s a mortgage that’s $280 more every month. Almost $4,000 every year. And over $100,000 over a 30-year mortgage. That’s real money that could go to childcare, your child’s college, or savings. And for many, it means buying a home just doesn’t make financial sense, even if you’ve been saving up for years. You won’t see those trade-offs reflected in the Pentagon’s $43 billion price tag for the war. And finally, what is the cost of this war on our Democracy? James Madison once wrote to his friend Thomas Jefferson that “the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it.” That’s why the Founders gave Congress the power to declare war. Not the President. Not the Supreme Court. Congress. And yet, not a single senator has introduced a legislative measure to formally declare war on Iran. Mr. President, you may have noticed that until now, I have not mentioned President Trump. That is not because the President bears no responsibility for this war. He most certainly does. President Trump unilaterally made the decision to enter this costly, unwanted war. But the decision about whether it continues rests with Congress. And to my Republican colleagues who are wrestling with this issue, just ask yourself: Is this war making your constituents’ lives better? That isn’t a partisan question. It is a question every senator has a duty to answer. Because whether the President is a Republican or a Democrat, Congress cannot surrender its constitutional power simply because the President belongs to our party. We all took an oath to defend the Constitution — not a president. We all took an oath to serve the American people — not a party. President Trump made the decision to enter this war. But whether this war continues is now a decision for us. What is the true cost of this war, and the cost of allowing it to continue? This week, the Senate will get another chance to decide. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to end this war now and for good. Thank you, Mr. President. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/watch-hickenlooper-video-statement-on-increasing-energy-prices/,WATCH: Hickenlooper Video Statement on Increasing Energy Prices,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"In just the first six months of 2026, Colorado families spent an additional $71 on electricity than they did in the first half of 2024 WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper called out President Trump and MAGA Republicans for how their broken agenda has increased energy prices and fueled a cost-of-living emergency. “President Trump’s costly war has sent gas prices climbing and diesel prices to record highs. But so far, Trump refuses to address this crisis. In fact, he’s making it worse,” said Hickenlooper. “Last summer, Trump and MAGA Republicans passed their disastrous budget bill and zeroed out a program that helped lower-income families and communities harness solar energy to lower their energy bills.” “The administration fired all of the federal workers who ran a different program that helps 6 million low-income households heat and cool their homes, including about 85,800 households in Colorado. And they’ve canceled millions in federal contracts for clean energy projects – many of them already underway – and wasted taxpayer money in the process. “Americans deserve relief, not higher costs. Our fight isn’t over. We won’t stop working to actually bring down costs and help Colorado families.” Watch his full video HERE. Before the war, the national average for diesel was $3.72 per gallon. This week, it’s over $6.50 per gallon, marking a nearly 75% increase. A farmer using 1,000 gallons of diesel during a harvest is paying roughly $2,800 more just to do the same work. In total, Coloradans have spent an additional $2 billion on gas since the beginning of the war. Colorado families have spent an additional $80 on electricity in 2025 under President Trump than they did in 2024. And, in just the first six months of 2026, they spent $71 more on electricity than they did in the first half of 2024. Hickenlooper has been vocal in his opposition to President Trump’s cost-of-living emergency fueled by the president’s war with Iran. Hickenlooper has introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran and has voted repeatedly to end the president’s war. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/23/bennet-markey-merkley-demand-trump-administration-release-all-documents-from-u-s-saudi-nuclear-deal/,"Bennet, Markey, Merkley, Demand Trump Administration Release All Documents from U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and a bipartisan group of colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, pressing the Trump administration to declassify and publicly release the two side letters accompanying the proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, referred to as a “123 agreement.” The Trump administration recently submitted the 123 agreement to Congress, as is required by law, but classified key side letters the agreement repeatedly references at the lowest possible level. This classification prevents the public and a large swath of Congress from fully assessing the agreement, given that the side letters affect the obligations and operation of the underlying agreement. “Congress has a statutory responsibility under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act to review the proposed nuclear deal, which seeks to facilitate nuclear cooperation with significant implications for U.S. national security interests. Access to the full text is required for the Senate and the public to have a clear understanding of the commitments being made on the nation’s behalf and those being made by Saudi Arabia to the United States,” wrote the senators. “The side letters affect the obligations and operations of the underlying agreement and cannot be viewed in isolation from it; the President’s own transmission letter to Congress states that the agreement ‘…was concluded with two accompanying side letters.’ Their public release would also allow civil society, independent experts, and other affected stakeholders to scrutinize the deal.” “Transparency and open debate are cornerstones of our democracy. Congress and the American public must have a meaningful opportunity to review and debate the key components of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal before it potentially enters into force. To that end, we call on you to declassify and release the two side letters without delay,” emphasized the senators. In addition to Bennet, Markey, and Merkley, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Rand Paul (R-K.Y.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed the letter. Bennet is a leading opponent of the U.S.-Saudi deal, saying in July 2026: “President Trump should not agree to any nuclear cooperation agreement that provides Saudi Arabia sensitive U.S. nuclear technology without the ‘gold standard’ set of nuclear safeguards we’ve correctly demanded from other countries.” The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Wright: We write to urge you to immediately declassify and publicly release the two side letters associated with the Trump Administration’s proposed U.S.-Saudi 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement. While the text of the agreement and the bilateral safeguards agreement are now publicly available in unclassified form, the two side letters remain classified at the lowest possible level. In previous 123 agreements, the Executive Branch publicly released the agreement along with side letters and related documents. Releasing the agreement text without the side letters here leaves that practice only half met. We are aware of no precedent for classifying and withholding the side letters, particularly when the stated purpose is peaceful nuclear cooperation. Congress has a statutory responsibility under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act to review the proposed nuclear deal, which seeks to facilitate nuclear cooperation with significant implications for U.S. national security interests. Access to the full text is required for the Senate and the public to have a clear understanding of the commitments being made on the nation’s behalf and those being made by Saudi Arabia to the United States. The side letters affect the obligations and operations of the underlying agreement and cannot be viewed in isolation from it; the President’s own transmission letter to Congress states that the agreement “…was concluded with two accompanying side letters.” Their public release would also allow civil society, independent experts, and other affected stakeholders to scrutinize the deal. Transparency and open debate are cornerstones of our democracy. Congress and the American public must have a meaningful opportunity to review and debate the key components of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal before it potentially enters into force. To that end, we call on you to declassify and release the two side letters without delay. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. ###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/23/bennet-welch-release-proposal-to-establish-new-federal-agency-to-prevent-catastrophic-ai-risk-regulate-big-tech/,"Bennet, Welch Release Proposal to Establish New Federal Agency to Prevent Catastrophic AI Risk, Regulate Big Tech",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Federal Digital Commission Would Have Pre-Clearance Review of Frontier AI Models, Ability to Pause Release Without Necessary Safeguards, and Assess Civil Penalties of Up to 15 Percent of a Firm’s Prior-Year Global Revenue Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced a new proposal building off of their landmark legislation to create a new independent federal agency to regulate frontier artificial intelligence (AI) models and social media. The AI Regulator Act would require pre-certification for frontier AI models, delay the public release of any AI model that could pose catastrophic risks without necessary safeguards, and issue formal rulemakings able to keep pace with the speed of innovation. It could also conduct investigations, engage in research, and impose penalties of up to 15 percent of a firm’s prior-year global revenue. These new authorities add to the proposed Federal Digital Commission longstanding remit to regulate the largest digital platforms, and ensure that a dedicated agency is empowered to protect Americans from catastrophic AI risk, safeguard our kids online, reduce harmful market concentration, and prevent national and economic security risks. “The challenge posed by a new technology and a new industry able to profoundly transform our economy and society is one we have faced before,” said Bennet. “In the past, we created new expert agencies to regulate aviation, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. But today, no such agency exists for AI or social media platforms. Oversight is fragmented between states and federal agencies, while Congress tries to address each new problem one bill at a time. The Federal Digital Commission would keep pace with innovation, act before serious harm occurs, and have the authority to hold companies accountable when they break the rules.” “Americans in Vermont and across the country are freaked out by the warnings of AI researchers, and I’m right there with them. It’s clear we can’t leave it to AI companies to self-regulate—just like we don’t let drug companies, or Wall Street, or Big Oil self-regulate. Americans need reassurance that an independent expert agency will advocate on behalf of the public good and public safety,” said Welch. “Our common sense bill would provide the comprehensive oversight of Big Tech and AI that is sorely needed.” The Proposed AI Regulator Act would: Give regulators the power to pause certain AI releases. Allow a pause of up to six months on the public distribution of AI models with the potential for catastrophic risk, or until reasonable safeguards are in place. Put major tech companies under closer oversight. Allow the Commission to designate systemically important digital platforms or developers for additional reporting and regulation. Back its rules with substantial penalties. Establish a five-member commission that could hold hearings, investigate, conduct research, issue rules, and impose civil penalties of up to 15 percent of a firm’s prior-year global revenue in a year. Set safeguards for frontier AI. Require developers to meet risk-mitigation, catastrophic risk incident-reporting, and transparency requirements. Protect kids and consumers online. Establish age-verification and age-appropriate design standards, consumer protections, and transparency requirements for platforms’ terms of service and content-moderation policies. Address national and economic security risks. Include provisions concerning Americans’ data held by foreign AI companies, U.S. subsidiaries for certain foreign firms, and transparency about where online content originates. Bennet and Welch first introduced the Digital Platform Commission Act in the Senate and House in 2022. Bennet and Welch reintroduced the bill in 2023. The proposal sought to bring oversight of digital platforms into a dedicated agency. Today, responsibility for competition, consumer protection, privacy, online safety, and national security remains spread across the federal government. The updated Section-by-Section is HERE. The One-Pager is HERE. ###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/22/bennet-hickenlooper-colleagues-challenge-trump-efforts-to-restrict-mail-in-voting/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Challenge Trump Efforts to Restrict Mail-In Voting",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"261 current and former lawmakers joined together to file amicus brief in SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Case Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside the entire Senate Democratic Caucus and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, filed an amicus brief challenging the legality of President Donald Trump’s executive order and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule that imposes unconstitutional, unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail. “Since the beginning of his administration, President Trump and congressional Republicans have done everything they can to make our voting system less safe and secure,” said Bennet. “The Supreme Court must stand firm against this latest unconstitutional attempt to supersede the authority of states and Congress when it comes to our elections, all in an effort to make it harder for Coloradans to cast a vote by mail.” “Mail-in voting is safe, secure, and makes our elections more accessible,” said Hickenlooper. “The Trump administration continues throwing everything at the wall to restrict the fundamental right of every American to choose their leaders. It’s an unconstitutional, authoritarian attack that we won’t let them get away with.” Colorado’s vote-by-mail system helped produce a voter turnout rate of 71 percent in the 2024 general election, nearly 6 percent higher than the national average. Of these voters, 92.2 percent chose to return a mail ballot. Nationally, nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary. In the court filing, the group argued that Trump’s executive order and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and steal congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over administering elections. “As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.” The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal attack on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote. “The integrity of our constitutional system depends on each branch keeping to its assigned role,” concluded the lawmakers. “The Framers set up a two-part system that gave the States default authority to regulate federal elections subject to Congress’s authority to override the States. The Framers did not provide the President with any authority to interfere in that system, nor has Congress subsequently imbued the President or the Executive Branch with any such authority by statute.” U.S. Representative Joe Neguse led the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bennet and Hickenlooper previously demanded that the USPS abandon this rule and have been staunch opponents of the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict voting rights. Both senators also introduced the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act to nullify Trump’s executive order. Bennet is a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections. In August 2026, Bennet demanded the Trump administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s “quiet period” that prohibits large-scale voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Trump administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. In April 2026, Bennet introduced the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act to block Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order that attacks Coloradans’ ability to cast mail-in ballots. In April 2025, Bennet urged former USPS Postmaster General Doug Tulino to ensure on-time, reliable mail delivery to rural and mountain communities along the Western Slope and to prevent DOGE from exacerbating existing mail delivery issues in Western Slope communities. In June 2024, Bennet called on the USPS to improve mail delivery service for Colorado’s mountain communities. The full amicus brief is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-detainee-accounts-of-tuberculosis-exposure-at-aurora-ice-detention-center/,Hickenlooper Statement on Detainee Accounts of Tuberculosis Exposure at Aurora ICE Detention Center,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"DENVER – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement in response to a report by the Denver Post that an entire pod was placed on quarantine after being exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at the Aurora ICE Detention Facility. Neither ICE nor local health officials confirmed the report. “Public health officials can’t stop a TB outbreak they’re not allowed to track,” said Hickenlooper. “ICE’s refusal to follow Colorado law or give members of Congress answers puts lives at risk. They’re trying to slow us down, but we won’t stop pushing until we get to the bottom of this.” Representatives from Hickenlooper’s office visited the detention facility last Friday. ICE officials and medical staff at the facility refused to tell Hickenlooper’s staff whether anyone had recently tested positive for TB or been exposed to it. This is the second reported case of tuberculosis at the Aurora ICE Detention Facility in recent months. In June, Adams County Health Department was notified of a case of suspected TB at the facility, triggering a routine investigation, which was blocked by GEO. ICE later confirmed they had a positive TB case, but refused to allow state health officials to investigate. As a result, last month the state of Colorado sued GEO Group, which operates the Aurora ICE Detention Facility, to force GEO to comply with state law and allow public health officials to perform a full investigation. The CDC’s guidelines for “Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities” state that it’s “mandatory” for every correctional facility – private, federal, state or local – to report suspected and confirmed cases of TB to its local or state health department. Hickenlooper visited the Aurora ICE Detention Facility at the end of August to demand answers on the TB outbreak and push ICE to comply with state law. Hickenlooper held meetings with Adams County and state public health officials before and after his oversight visit. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/new-report-co-families-have-spent-4500-more-on-goods-services-under-president-trump/,"New Report: CO Families Have Spent $4,500 More On Goods & Services Under President Trump",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper: “This isn’t the ‘Golden Age’ President Trump pretends it is” WASHINGTON – As President Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran continue to hurt Colorado families, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper highlighted the cost-of-living emergency that’s plaguing the state. According to a report from the Joint Economic Committee Minority, Colorado families have spent $4,500 more in goods and services under President Trump. Some of the key findings from the report include: Energy Costs: People across Colorado have spent over $2 billion more on gas since the beginning of the war. That means the average family in Colorado has spent $697 more on gas. Families in Colorado paid at least $80 more for electricity in 2025 under President Trump than they did in 2024. In the first half of 2026, Colorado families paid an estimated $71 more for electricity than they did in the first half of 2024. Housing Costs: Colorado families have had to spend $554 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments since President Trump took office. Grocery Costs: Americans paid $310 more for groceries in President Trump’s first year than in 2024, and grocery prices are now more than 4 percent higher than when Trump took office. Healthcare: Monthly Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums have risen over 50% on average in 2026 compared to last year while deductibles surged to record highs increasing by more than $1,000 on average. “With each passing month, President Trump’s illegal war, tariffs, and healthcare cuts are costing Coloradans more and more,” said Hickenlooper. “This isn’t the ‘Golden Age’ President Trump pretends it is, and it’s certainly not the bargain working families signed up for. We’re fighting to end the war, reimburse consumers and small businesses for Trump’s tariffs, and reverse his healthcare cuts. We’ll keep pushing Congress to act and make your life better.” Watch Hickenlooper’s Full Video Here Last week, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor about the cost-of-living emergency that President Trump and MAGA Republicans have created. As President Trump’s war with Iran and tariff wars continue, Hickenlooper has been fighting to lower costs for Americans. In July, he celebrated the committee passage of his bipartisan Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, which would create true transparency in healthcare pricing and is a first step towards universal healthcare. The bill will help lower healthcare prices through creating opportunities for consumers to compare prices, leading to competition among providers to lower costs. Hickenlooper helped champion the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to address the national affordable housing shortage by cutting red tape to build more homes, investing in programs to lower the cost of buying a house, and preventing corporations from dominating the housing market. In 2021, he worked with the Colorado delegation to deliver more than $3.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for the state, which included more than $500 million towards affordable housing investments and $300 million in emergency rental assistance for low-income households. Hickenlooper has traveled across Colorado to hear from workers, ranchers, and farmers getting crushed by the increasing prices fueled by the war and tariffs. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of healthcare. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-calls-on-trump-administration-to-reverse-colorado-disaster-aid-denials/,Hickenlooper Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse Colorado Disaster Aid Denials,2026-09-19,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement calling on the Trump administration to reverse its decision denying Individual Assistance (IA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding which were part of the State’s request following the extensive damage caused by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires. The IA grants would have provided direct assistance to people in Pueblo and Custer Counties, including temporary housing and home repairs. The HMGP grants would have helped rebuilding communities prevent future disasters. “The Trump administration should reverse this decision,” said Hickenlooper. “Requests for individual assistance and hazard mitigation grants are not made frivolously. These resources are what’s needed to help Colorado families and communities recover and prevent future tragedies. We will continue standing with those impacted by these horrific fires and do everything we can to support them in their hour of need.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) previously approved Colorado’s request for Public Assistance following the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires. Earlier this month, FEMA also released $97 million to help Colorado communities recover from past disasters and mitigate future ones. ###",1,2026-09-20T09:37:28Z,2026-09-20T09:38:59Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-colleagues-demand-answers-from-trump-admin-on-cost-of-iran-war/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Admin on Cost of Iran War",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin and 43 of their Senate colleagues to demand a full accounting of the costs of President Trump’s reckless war of choice with Iran. The senators also criticized the President’s Department of Defense leadership for withholding basic budget information from Congress and the American public even as U.S. casualties and taxpayer costs continue to increase. “Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war,” wrote the senators. “Now you are asking that they pay again to fund a war of choice that Congress never authorized and the President launched with no strategic plan.” In their letter, the senators highlight the contrast between the current Pentagon’s transparency record with past wartime practice, noting that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has briefed Congress only seven times in six months and held just eight Pentagon press briefings or interviews since the war began, compared to more than 70 press briefings in the first month of the Iraq War alone. The senators also criticized the administration’s public supplemental funding request as a seven-page document offering only vague line items, in contrast to the detailed, hundred-page supplemental requests provided to Congress during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “Despite asking for tens of billions of additional taxpayer dollars, you have so far failed to provide basic information on how this money has and will be spent,” continued the senators. “Congress must have access to this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities. It is the bare minimum that any American would expect in balancing their own household budget.” Hickenlooper and Bennet are cosponsors of the Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act to stop President Trump’s attempts to hide how long his war against Iran has lasted, the true cost of the war, and dishonor the sacrifice of our troops injured and killed in combat. They have repeatedly voted for War Powers Resolutions to end President Trump’s war. On Wednesday, Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to blast President Trump for personally profiting off his war in Iran that has claimed the lives of 18 servicemembers and cost Americans billions. Hickenlooper has introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran and has voted repeatedly to end the president’s war. Hickenlooper has consistently condemned the administration for sidestepping Congress and dragging America into a war with no clear objective – one that risks American lives and that Americans overwhelmingly oppose. For full text of the letter, click HERE. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-push-back-on-blms-oil-gas-lease-sales-within-the-southern-ute-reservation/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet Push Back on BLM’s Oil, Gas Lease Sales within the Southern Ute Reservation",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet called on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to work directly with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to respond to their opposition to the roughly 2,500 acres of land the BLM opened for oil and natural gas extraction within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. “The Tribe has formally expressed its opposition to leasing these parcels, explaining that they are located within an environmentally and culturally significant portion of the Reservation where it has long sought to minimize surface disturbance,” wrote the senators. “We urge BLM to give careful consideration to the Tribe’s concerns and to continue robust consultation throughout this process. As a sovereign Tribal Nation with deep cultural, environmental, and economic interests in these lands, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s perspective should play a central role in BLM’s decision-making.” The Tribe had previously submitted public comments formally opposing the sale of the nine parcels – totaling roughly 2,500 acres of land – within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in BLM’s upcoming December 2026 Oil and Gas lease sale. The senators also urged BLM to consult with the Tribe ahead of any leasing decisions being made. Full text of the letter available HERE and below. Dear Acting State Director Heinlein and Acting Deputy State Director Anderson: We write regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) proposed December 2026 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s concerns about the nine proposed lease parcels located within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The Tribe has formally expressed its opposition to leasing these parcels, explaining that they are located within an environmentally and culturally significant portion of the Reservation where it has long sought to minimize surface disturbance. The Tribe has also requested meaningful government-to-government consultation before any leasing decisions affecting these lands move forward. We urge BLM to give careful consideration to the Tribe’s concerns and to continue robust consultation throughout this process. As a sovereign Tribal Nation with deep cultural, environmental, and economic interests in these lands, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s perspective should play a central role in BLM’s decision-making. The Tribe has raised practical questions regarding access to several proposed parcels, including that development may require rights-of-way across Tribal lands that are subject to the Tribe’s approval. We encourage BLM to work closely with the Tribe to fully understand and address these issues before making any final leasing decisions. Government-to-government consultation must be given the full time necessary to address the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s concerns, and the BLM should take all measures to ensure robust consultation, including withdrawal or deferral of the lease sale if needed. We urge the BLM to ensure its final decisions fully reflect the federal government’s trust responsibility and commitment to meaningful government-to-government consultation with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/17/bennet-collins-celebrate-house-passage-of-their-bill-to-expand-tax-deduction-to-include-early-childhood-educators/,"Bennet, Collins Celebrate House Passage of their Bill to Expand Tax Deduction to Include Early Childhood Educators",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Bill Now Heads to President’s Desk to be Signed Into Law Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, celebrated the House passage of their Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act. This legislation would help early childhood educators cover the cost of supplies, books, and other classroom materials by allowing them to claim the above-the-line $350 tax deduction currently available only to K-12 teachers. The SEED Act served as the legislative vehicle for passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which has now passed the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. “Early childhood educators should be able to claim the same tax deduction available to elementary and secondary school teachers, and I hope the President will sign this legislation immediately,” said Bennet. “As the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, I know firsthand how often educators dip into their own pockets to provide school supplies for their students – this bill ends an unfair double standard and ensures that those who teach our youngest kids are supported.” “In Maine and across the country, we are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators who work hard to ensure that every child has a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and enriching. Despite tight personal budgets, it is truly remarkable how often teachers use money out of their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their students,” said Collins. “As the author of the original tax credit for K-12 teachers, I am delighted to help expand this benefit to pre-K educators. I thank Senator Bennet for his partnership in this effort to provide early childhood educators with well-deserved tax relief, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” “We are deeply grateful to Senators Collins and Bennet, and Representatives Fitzpatrick, Panetta, Valadao and Goodlander, and the bipartisan lawmakers in both chambers who championed the SEED Act and helped get it across the finish line,” said Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of First Five Years Fund (FFYF). “We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to advance bipartisan solutions that strengthen child care for families, educators, and communities across the country.” “NAEYC applauds the bipartisan passage of the Supporting Early Childhood Educators’ Deductions Act, which reimburses early childhood educators for the out-of-pocket classroom expenses they take on to improve children’s learning environments, as K-12 educators have long been able to do,” said Paola Andujar, Senior Policy Specialist the National Association for the Education of Young Children. “We are grateful that Congress is taking a step to recognize the complex, skilled, professional work of early childhood educators which lays the foundation for the youngest children to thrive. We look forward to building on this effort to support the early childhood education workforce by continuing to push for needed investments in quality ECE and compensation for early childhood educators working in all settings.” “The earliest years of a child’s life are among the most important for their development, and early childhood educators play a critical role during those years. Yet too often, these educators reach into their own pockets to buy the books, supplies, and materials they need to support the children in their classrooms,” said Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy, Save the Children. “We are pleased to see the bipartisan SEED Act on the verge of becoming law, giving early childhood educators access to the same tax deduction already available to K-12 teachers. This is a meaningful and long-overdue recognition of the educators who care for and teach our youngest children, and an investment in children and their futures.” “Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) strongly supports the bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act. Early childhood educators support children’s development and learning during their most formative years while enabling parents to participate in the workforce and helping our businesses and communities thrive. Yet these essential professionals, who already earn modest wages, too often pay out of pocket for the books, supplies and materials children need, said Nicole Riehl, President and CEO, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children. “Extending the federal educator expense deduction to early childhood educators is a commonsense step that recognizes their invaluable work and strengthens the workforce of today while investing in the workforce of tomorrow. EPIC thanks Senator Michael Bennet and Senator Susan Collins, along with their bipartisan House partners, for championing this important legislation.” Bennet and Collins first introduced the SEED Act in 2021. In 2023, they reintroduced the legislation and expanded the total tax credit from $250 to $300. The SEED Act is supported by a broad coalition of education and child advocacy organizations, including the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, the First Five Years Fund, and Trying Together. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/17/bennet-travels-to-mexico-city-to-advance-u-s-mexico-security-cooperation-and-trade-relationship/,Bennet Travels to Mexico City to Advance U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation and Trade Relationship,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"U.S. Senator Michael Bennet with Mexican officials at the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs in Mexico City Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Finance Committee, visited Mexico City, Mexico last week to advance U.S.-Mexico intelligence, security, and trade cooperation. Bennet met with senior U.S. Embassy and Mexican leaders, including Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson, Secretary of the Navy Admiral Raymundo Morales Ángeles, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for North America Cristina Planter Riebeling, as well as key officials from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, Secretariat of National Defense, National Guard, and National Institute of Migration. He also met representatives of leading American businesses and international migration organizations in Mexico. During the visit, Bennet discussed shared security challenges including cartel drug trafficking and violence; U.S.-Mexico intelligence and security cooperation to address those challenges, as well as unauthorized migration; and opportunities to strengthen U.S.-Mexico trade, including by renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), advancing his Americas Act, and removing President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs. “My time in Mexico City reaffirmed my commitment to a mutually beneficial U.S.-Mexico relationship, which is crucial to ensuring security and prosperity on both sides of the border,” said Bennet. “Our two countries face shared challenges that require continued intelligence and security cooperation. We must continue working together to address them while respecting each other’s sovereignty. While we have made progress reducing unauthorized crossings at the border, a sustainable solution requires comprehensive immigration reform that I have fought for in Congress. We must also build upon our economic ties, which are crucial for Colorado farmers, ranchers, businesses and workers.” Bennet, who most recently visited Mexico in 2023, has long played a leading role in supporting the U.S.-Mexico relationship and U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere, and fighting for comprehensive immigration reform. He leads the Americas Act, which the Financial Times has endorsed as a key effort to counter China’s influence in the Western Hemisphere. He has called for the renewal of the bipartisan U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and steadfastly opposed President Trump’s reckless Mexico and Canada tariffs. Bennet passed legislation in last year’s Intelligence Authorization Act requiring an intelligence assessment on threats to U.S. national security interests in the Western Hemisphere – including China and Russia’s growing presence – and the extent to which greater U.S. cooperation with regional partners could address these threats. Additionally, Bennet has led bipartisan efforts to ensure the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) strengthens engagement with countries including Mexico to help them develop CFIUS-like mechanisms to review sensitive foreign investments, particularly from China. Following U.S. cooperation with Mexico, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently submitted legislation to create a CFIUS-like framework for Mexico. Bennet has also long pressed to stop the illegal trafficking of American firearms across the southern border into Mexico, which account for approximately 80 percent of firearms seized from criminal organizations in Mexico. In 2013, Bennet was a part of the “Gang of Eight,” a bipartisan group of senators that worked together to draft the last comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The Senate passed it with overwhelming bipartisan support, but it stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Bennet introduced bills to reform the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection to prevent the detention of children and ICE activity in sensitive locations; align standards for federal immigration officers with those expected from local law enforcement; and ensure oversight and civil rights protections at detention centers. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/17/bennet-van-hollen-tillis-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-boost-innovation-in-education/,"Bennet, Van Hollen, Tillis Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Innovation in Education",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to reintroduce the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, which would drive evidence-based improvements and innovations for our schools, by making strategic investments in education research and development (R&D). The legislation would create a national center that advances high-risk, high-reward education research projects, similar to the model employed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). “As a former school superintendent, I know our teachers are doing everything they can to help students succeed,” said Bennet. “As social media and a nationwide mental health crisis reshape how students learn and engage in school, educators need better information about what works. Congress can help by investing in cutting-edge education research. This bipartisan bill will help schools, educators, and policymakers make data driven decisions that strengthen education today and in the years ahead.” “To meet the evolving challenges our students face, our educators need access to quality data and evidence-based advancements in teaching and learning,” said Van Hollen. “This legislation would help accomplish that by investing in our students’ success to better prepare them for the future.” “We owe it to students, parents, and teachers to pass bipartisan legislation that identifies gaps in education and better prepares students to become the next generation of the American workforce,” said Tillis. “That’s why I am proud to sponsor legislation that invests in education research and development, STEM, and innovative technologies to develop the tools needed to identify these gaps and help teachers better equip students for the future.” The NEED Act would create a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) at the Department of Education dedicated to developing and disseminating cutting-edge practices and tools, such as voice recognition software to assess dyslexia and other emerging readiness gaps, to adequately prepare students to meet the challenges of a 21st century economy. Specifically, the legislation would: Make robust investments to establish, staff, and operate NCADE; Require the Advanced Development Commissioner to appoint an advisory panel to guide the development and implementation of NCADE projects; and Conduct and disseminate the results of periodic evaluations of the effectiveness of NCADE in achieving its mission of expanding education R&D and improving teaching and learning. The NEED Act would also improve Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems and help states better track students’ progress through K-12 and into the workforce while protecting the privacy of students’ education records. This data will help policymakers understand and address opportunity and achievement gaps across the country. This bill is supported by nearly 65 organizations, including: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Accelerate – National Collaborative for Accelerated Learning, Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, All4Ed, Alliance for Learning Innovation, America Forward, American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association Services, Applied Learning Insights, Beyond100K, Bipartisan Policy Center, Buck Institute Education/PBLWorks, CAST, Committee for Children, Common Cents Education Consulting, Common Sense Media, Consortium for State Education Support, Data Quality Campaign, Digital Promise Global, EDGE Partners, EdTrust, Education Knowledge Broker Network, Education Reform Now Advocacy, Education Reimagined, Educators for Excellence, EdVenture Lab, ExcelinEd in Action, Federation of American Scientists, Foundation for Deeper Learning, FullScale, High Tech High Graduate School of Education, InnovateEDU, Institute for Educational Leadership, KB Stack Consulting, LLC, Knowledge Alliance, Learner-Centered Collaborative, LearnerStudio, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Learning Heroes, LearningForge LLC, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Council on Teacher Quality, National Girls Collaborative, National Parents Union, National School Boards Association, New Classrooms, New Leaders, reDesign, Reinvention Lab at Teach For America, Results for America, SERP Institute, SETDA, SRI, Teach For America, Teach Plus, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, The Learning Agency, The Society for Research in Child Development, The Study Group, The Tech Interactive, Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Threadwell Solutions TNTP, Transcend, and the University of Oregon. “For too long, education has lacked what nearly every other field takes for granted: a dedicated engine for pursuing bold, high-reward ideas and finding out what works for students,” said Sara Schapiro, Executive Director of the Alliance for Learning Innovation. “The NEED Act would build that engine, a national center modeled on DARPA inside the Institute of Education Sciences, supporting researchers and educators with the resources to test promising new approaches to teaching and learning and pursue real breakthroughs for education. ALI is proud to support Senators Bennet, Tillis, and Van Hollen in reintroducing this bipartisan legislation, and we urge Congress to move quickly to get it passed.” “Data Quality Campaign applauds the efforts of Senators Bennet, Tillis, and Van Hollen on the introduction of the NEED Act, which will ensure everyone has the data they need to make informed decisions about their education and career journeys,” said Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger, President and CEO, Data Quality Campaign. “By reimagining how statewide longitudinal data systems support transparency and high-quality data, the NEED Act will enable individuals to better navigate their career pathways and policymakers to create policies that invest in the programs, supports, and interventions needed to make that navigation seamless.” “The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on the American Workforce called for a Talent Data System and to prioritize research and data on what actually works to support students, teachers, and workers,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). “The NEED Act takes a critical step forward to answer that call. It will modernize state data systems, strengthen our nation’s research capacity, and help develop breakthrough tools and solutions that improve student outcomes. We applaud Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for crafting a forward-looking, bipartisan bill as a companion to the House version, led by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Congress must advance this important legislation.” “Through our on the ground partnerships with K-12 institutions across the state, the University of Denver has seen firsthand the appetite and need for additional federal investment in cutting-edge education research,” said Jeremy Haefner, Chancellor, University of Denver. “The authorization of a new National Center for Advanced Development in Education is essential to ensuring Colorado educators have access to timely, innovative, and evidence-based practices to help increase achievement for all of Colorado’s students. We are grateful to Senator Bennet for his championing of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act and hope it advances in Congress.” “Relative to many other countries, the United States spends too little on educational research and development. Indeed, the federal government is investing less in this important work every year. If we want educational policymakers and leaders to make decisions based on evidence, we need much more research on the kinds of innovations that make a difference in all children’s outcomes. Senator Bennet’s New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act will provide the resources needed to accelerate innovation in teaching and learning and help expand opportunity to all,” said William Penuel, Distinguished Professor, School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and Director, National Center for Research in Policy and Practice. “The ability to longitudinally track student outcomes across the school-to-workforce pipeline will significantly increase knowledge on what works robustly and at scale. The Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) in Senator Bennet’s New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act will help states do this systematically so that the resultant data can be broadly used to broaden the evidence-base and to increase accountability for federal- and state- funded interventions,” said Sidney D’Mello, Professor, Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation National AI institute for Student-AI Teaming. Bennet has consistently fought to secure resources and support for schools across Colorado. In December 2025, Bennet joined Van Hollen and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the historic step this legislation took by mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to public education. In March 2025, Bennet issued a statement opposing President Trump’s executive order dismantling the Department of Education. In July 2025, Bennet demanded that U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon provide answers for DOE’s decision to continue withholding $70 million in federal funds from Colorado schools. The text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-calls-for-congressional-action-hearings-on-ai-regulation/,"Hickenlooper Calls for Congressional Action, Hearings on AI Regulation",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"“We’re entering a new and dangerous era of artificial intelligence, and we need stronger guardrails to protect against the risks” WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper called on the Senate Commerce Committee to act on responsible AI regulation and begin holding hearings with leaders from across the AI industry on responsible regulation. In a new video today, Hickenlooper outlined his thoughts on the need for more AI regulation, including independent audits of AI systems, stronger safeguards for high-risk AI, and real accountability when these tools cause harm. As data centers continue popping up across the state, Hickenlooper stressed the importance of community involvement, protecting our precious water resources, and ensuring ratepayers aren’t subsidizing these facilities, especially as energy prices soar. “We’re entering a new and dangerous era of artificial intelligence, and we need stronger guardrails to protect against the risks,” Hickenlooper said in a video published on social media. “The Senate Commerce Committee needs to hold hearings with leaders from across the AI industry on responsible regulation. But we can’t stop there. Smart guardrails on AI will be the difference between this technology benefitting all Americans or just the companies developing it. To do that, we can’t allow the fox to guard the henhouse! Congress needs to act now.” Watch his full video HERE Hickenlooper has introduced legislation to responsibly regulate AI, including the VET AI Act, that would create a pathway for independent evaluators, with a function similar to those in the financial industry and other sectors, to work with companies as a neutral third-party to verify their development, testing, and use of AI is in compliance with established guardrails. This week, OpenAI publicly backed third-party verification following the news that Anthropic would give independent third-party evaluators “employee-like access” to their models. Yesterday, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor about the anxiety Coloradans are feeling about AI and data centers. “Even as your energy bills are spiking. Even as you’re worried your job could be the one that gets cut next. Even as you worry your farm is already facing a water shortage in many parts of this country…. billionaires have turned AI into a horse race focused solely on who is winning, with too little thought for who gets left behind,” he said. “Now, even some of the biggest names in AI are warning that we’re moving too fast. I think the question is: Do we listen? Will we listen? Will we act?” ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-video-statement-on-increasing-mortgage-rates/,Hickenlooper Video Statement on Increasing Mortgage Rates,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper called out President Trump’s broken agenda for fueling inflation and leading to higher mortgage rates. Mortgage rates – which just hit over 7% – are the highest since President Trump took office, after increasing four weeks in a row. “President Trump’s war is making it harder to buy a home in Colorado,” Hickenlooper said in a new video. “Before the Iran war, the average 30-year mortgage rate was just above 6%. Today? It’s above 7%. For a Colorado homebuyer, that difference adds up fast: Over $280 more every month. Almost $4,000 every year. And over $100,000 over a 30-year mortgage.” He continued, “that’s real money that could be going toward groceries, child care, or college. We’ve voted more than a dozen times to end this war. MAGA Republicans have blocked us every time. We need to end this war. Bring costs down. Get back to helping working families.” Watch his full video HERE. Yesterday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, citing concerns about inflation being driven largely by President Trump’s costly war with Iran that has skyrocketed gas and diesel prices. Hickenlooper has been vocal in his opposition to President Trump’s cost-of-living emergency fueled by the president’s war with Iran, illegal tariffs, and cruel healthcare cuts. Hickenlooper has introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran and has voted repeatedly to end the president’s war. He has fought against the president’s disastrous budget bill that gutted health care to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of healthcare. Hickenlooper also helped pass the most consequential housing bill in decades, opening the door to homeownership for millions of Americans and stopping Wall Street from buying up homes that belong to working families. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/16/bennet-hickenlooper-pettersen-recognize-victims-of-evergreen-high-school-shooting-following-first-anniversary/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Pettersen Recognize Victims of Evergreen High School Shooting Following First Anniversary",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led Senator John Hickenlooper to introduce a congressional resolution recognizing the first anniversary of the tragic Evergreen High School shooting. This resolution honors the two wounded victims; expresses gratitude to law enforcement, faculty, educators, first responders, and neighbors who worked to keep students safe during this shooting; and recognizes the trauma this community now carries. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) led a companion resolution in the House. “One year ago, the Evergreen community experienced an unthinkable act of gun violence,” said Bennet. “The fear and trauma that Evergreen High School students, families, educators, and first responders experienced that day have not disappeared. We owe it to them – and all of Colorado – to act and to build a future where no child has to experience this kind of violence at school. I am glad to lead the Colorado Congressional Delegation in this resolution, and will continue to fight against senseless acts of gun violence.” “Students, teachers, and families should never have to go through what Evergreen High School and the entire community went through one year ago,” said Hickenlooper. “We need to come together and work to end gun violence in our communities.” “Today, we honor the students, staff, first responders, families, and entire Evergreen community for their extraordinary resilience in the face of the tragedy after the Evergreen High School shooting one year ago. Their strength, courage, and resilience continue to inspire all of us but also reminds us of the urgent need for change,” said Pettersen. “Our country’s gun violence epidemic has shattered countless lives and is now the leading cause of death for our kids – a reality none of us should accept. As a mom, I understand the fear so many parents live with when they drop their kids off at school. Today, we stand with the Evergreen community and promise to keep fighting in Congress to ensure our kids are safe at school and in our communities. They deserve so much better.” On September 16, 2025, Senator Bennet led a resolution condemning this tragic act of violence recognizing the victims, survivors, and responders, and expressing condolences and support to their families and their communities. On September 30, 2025, the resolution was agreed to in the Senate. In April 2026, Bennet introduced a congressional resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Columbine Day of Service and remembering the victims of the Columbine High School shooting twenty-seven years ago. In April 2025, Bennet introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act and the bipartisan Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act. The bills protect communities from gun violence, while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own a firearm for legitimate self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes. In June 2022, Bennet helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first comprehensive gun safety reform package in nearly thirty years. The text of the resolution is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/16/bennet-statement-on-committee-passage-of-the-farm-bill/,Bennet Statement on Committee Passage of the Farm Bill,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after he voted against the 2026 Farm Bill in Committee: “I am disappointed that we are back in the same position voting on the same Farm Bill this Committee considered in August. My hope was to return to a bipartisan process, rather than continue down this partisan path. Unfortunately, that did not happen. “Farmers and ranchers want certainty, strong markets, and a safety net they can rely on. The question we need to ask is whether this bill makes it more likely they can stay in business five years from now. At a time when Colorado producers face rising costs, shrinking export opportunities, extreme drought, worsening wildfires, and growing pressure just to make a living, I do not believe this bill does enough. “It falls short on key Colorado priorities and does not meaningfully confront the broader economic pressures confronting farmers, ranchers, and the rural communities in which they live. On top of that, this bill does little for families struggling to afford groceries and leaves Colorado paying the price. “For these reasons, I voted against advancing this Farm Bill. I remain ready to work with Chairman Boozman on a truly bipartisan bill that meets the moment and serves farmers, ranchers, and families in Colorado and across the country.” ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/new-data-12598-colorado-kids-have-already-lost-snap-benefits/,"New Data: 12,598 Colorado Kids Have Already Lost SNAP Benefits",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Report shows 33,681 Coloradans, including 12,598 kids, have already lost SNAP benefits due to HR1 WASHINGTON – New analysis from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities shows that 33,681 total Coloradans, including 12,598 kids, have already lost SNAP benefits under President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Act. The data, which covers the period between the law’s enactment in July 2025 and June 2026, shows that a total 1.5 million U.S. children have lost access to affordable food through SNAP. “There’s nothing more cruel than a wealthy nation that lets its children go hungry, especially as grocery prices keep climbing,” said Hickenlooper. “President Trump took away food assistance from over 12,000 Colorado kids. And for what? So he could hand billionaires another tax break.” The Trump administration and congressional Republicans enacted the deepest cuts to federal nutrition programs in history by slashing federal funding for SNAP and imposing those costs onto states. In the last year, they slashed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $186 billion, imposed harsh new bureaucratic requirements that stripped food assistance from millions of Americans, and refused to fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown in fall 2025. An estimated 40% of SNAP recipients are children. Hickenlooper has led the charge against new provisions that require states to spend more of their state budgets to cover SNAP benefits and administrative costs associated with them. On average, states will be forced to spend two to three times of their previous SNAP budget on the program. In Colorado, SNAP cost-share will rise from $94 million to $272 million, a 188% increase. In response to these cuts, Hickenlooper introduced the Universal Meals Program Act, which would provide free school breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack to all school children, regardless of where they live or their family’s ability to pay. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/watch-hickenlooper-takes-aim-at-trumps-golden-age-of-corruption-in-senate-floor-speech/,WATCH: Hickenlooper Takes Aim at Trump’s “Golden Age of Corruption” in Senate Floor Speech,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper: “It’s an era of spoils and bribery for the powerful and well-connected, while you are left behind.” WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to call out President Trump for his corruption and the cost-of-living emergency he’s created. “Nearly 20 months into his second term, President Trump calls this period in American history a ‘Golden Age,’” said Hickenlooper on the Senate floor. “Golden – for who? For billionaires. For Mar-a-Lago members. For the president’s cronies. Not for farmers on the Western Slope, small business owners in Colorado Springs, or working families in Denver.” Watch his full speech HERE. “Housing. Gas. Groceries. When everything costs more, it’s hard for Americans to plan for today, let alone tomorrow. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are abandoning long-term financial milestones and cutting back just to get by,” Hickenlooper continued. “But President Trump’s Wall Street friends aren’t cutting back. Not at all. His company is charging them up to $100,000 a month for faster access to his Truth Social posts that routinely influence stock prices. That’s more than the median American household makes in an entire year. All to give greedy investment bankers another leg up. “This isn’t normal. This isn’t simply corruption. This is a sellout – of you, of America, of the office we used to respect in this country.” Hickenlooper blasted the president for personally profiting off his war in Iran that has claimed the lives of 18 servicemembers and cost Americans billions. Hickenlooper has introduced a War Powers Resolution to direct President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran and has voted repeatedly to end the president’s war. “While Americans are shelling out over $100 billion more in energy costs since President Trump started his illegal war with Iran. He has raked in millions of dollars off oil and gas stocks. He’s not only enriching himself, but his billionaire buddies, too.” He highlighted how the president and his family’s self-dealing extends to artificial intelligence and data centers while Americans pay higher energy prices. “Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm has invested millions in AI companies. One of the UAE’s most powerful royals has invested half a billion dollars in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture. “So, it should come as no surprise that President Trump has rolled back AI safeguards and authorized Big Tech to sell some of America’s most advanced AI chips to the Emiratis. Or that his Big Beautiful Bill cut $1 trillion from your healthcare while handing businesses massive tax breaks to fuel investments in AI.” He continued, “Your energy bills are spiking. You’re worried your job could be next. Your farm is already facing a water shortage. Meanwhile, billionaires have turned AI into a horse race focused only on who is winning, with too little thought for humanity and who gets left behind.” He also called out President Trump for ignoring the soaring housing costs while his son-in-law’s invests in luxury housing across the world. “Nearly half of all U.S. renters now spend roughly a third of their income on housing costs. Nine in ten young people say it’s harder to buy a property now than a generation before,” said Hickenlooper. “Instead of building more affordable housing here, the Trump family is building more housing in Saudi Arabia. The president’s son-in-law is using his position as special envoy for peace to cut a $3 billion-dollar sweetheart deal to build high-end housing some 6,000 miles away. He continued,” While people on the Eastern Plains are unsure how they’ll ever afford a home, the Trump family is shoring up housing in the Middle East.” Throughout August recess, Hickenlooper traveled across Colorado and heard from Coloradans getting crushed by Trump’s cost-of-living emergency. Ranchers and farmers described how the increasing costs caused by Trump’s war in Iran are crushing them. Healthcare providers highlighted how the Republican’s cruel healthcare cuts are undermining the care they can provide for their community and how families are now paying double for their insurance. Hickenlooper has fought against the president’s disastrous budget bill that gutted health care to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of healthcare. He helped defeat Trump’s effort to sell off millions of acres of public lands to pay for his lavish tax cuts. He is working to permanently end Trump’s slush fund for Tina Peters, Proud Boys, and January 6th rioters. For a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks as prepared for delivery is available below: Mr. President, In 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump traveled to Gettysburg where he vowed to “drain the swamp.” “The system is designed for one reason: to keep the corrupt establishment and special interests in power,” he told the crowd. He then declared: “I have no special interest but you, the American voter.” In hindsight, that wasn’t a promise. It was a projection. Millions of Americans voted for President Trump in that election and again in 2024 because they believed he would end the corruption in Washington and lower costs. Nearly 20 months into his second term, President Trump calls this period in American history a “Golden Age.” Golden – for who? For billionaires. For Mar-a-Lago members. For the president’s cronies. Not for farmers on the Western Slope, small business owners in Colorado Springs, or working families in Denver. What we’re living through isn’t a “golden age” of America. It’s a golden age of corruption. It’s an era of spoils and bribery for the powerful and well-connected, while YOU are left behind. Americans do what they can. The president and his cronies do what they want. Take housing. Nearly half of all U.S. renters now spend roughly a third of their income on housing costs. Nine in ten young people say it’s harder to buy a property now than a generation before. Instead of building more affordable housing here, the Trump family is building more housing in Saudi Arabia. The president’s son-in-law is using his position as special envoy for peace to cut a $3 billion-dollar sweetheart deal to build high-end housing some 6,000 miles away. While people on the Eastern Plains are unsure how they’ll ever afford a home, the Trump family is shoring up housing in the Middle East. Then there’s energy. While Americans are shelling out over $100 billion more in energy costs since President Trump started his illegal war with Iran… He has raked in millions of dollars off oil and gas stocks. He’s not only enriching himself, but his billionaire buddies, too. The president has spent more than a billion dollars of YOUR taxpayer money to cancel clean energy projects, all while his neighbor in Palm Beach stands to cash in on a massive payout. Your energy bills go up. His friends’ bank accounts go up faster. And that pattern of self-dealing extends to artificial intelligence. Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm has invested millions in AI companies. One of the UAE’s most powerful royals has invested half a billion dollars in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture. So, it should come as no surprise that President Trump has rolled back AI safeguards and authorized Big Tech to sell some of America’s most advanced AI chips to the Emiratis. Or that his Big Beautiful Bill cut $1 trillion from your healthcare while handing businesses massive tax breaks to fuel investments in AI. Your energy bills are spiking. You’re worried your job could be next. Your farm is already facing a water shortage. Meanwhile, billionaires have turned AI into a horse race focused only on who is winning, with too little thought for humanity and who gets left behind. But now, even some of the biggest names in AI are warning that we’re moving too fast. The question is: Will we listen? Will we act? Housing. Gas. Groceries. When everything costs more, it’s hard for Americans to plan for today, let alone tomorrow. Nearly two-thirds of Americans are abandoning long-term financial milestones and cutting back just to get by. But President Trump’s Wall Street friends aren’t cutting back. Not at all. His company is charging them up to $100,000 a month for faster access to his Truth Social posts that routinely influence stock prices. That’s more than the median American household makes in an entire year. All to give greedy investment bankers another leg up. This isn’t normal. This isn’t simply corruption. This is a sellout – of you, of America, of the office we used to respect in this country. In his first year back in office, President Trump made over two billion dollars. So, what has he learned from his first term? The answer is clear. It’s not how to lead or how to make life more affordable for Americans. It’s how to leverage the presidency for personal profit. And that’s what it all boils down to. Profit over peace. Profit over people. Profit over principle. That’s the opposite of what government service should be about. Over the last two months, I’ve traveled through the San Luis Valley, through Colorado’s mountain communities, and everywhere in between to hear what Coloradans need at this moment. They need leaders who will tackle the cost-of-living emergency. Leaders who will help keep their businesses open amid difficult headwinds and their farms afloat through record drought. They don’t need leaders who only look after themselves and other billionaires. They don’t need leaders focused on renaming lakes and building monuments to themselves. This president can’t seem to get out of his own way. When we passed the most consequential housing bill in decades, opening the door to homeownership for millions of Americans and stopping Wall Street from buying up homes that belong to working families, President Trump refused to sign it. When we passed a unanimous bill to deliver clean, reliable drinking water to 50,000 Coloradans – many of whom voted for President Trump – he vetoed it. When we made a once-in-a-generation investment to address climate change and preserve a future for our kids, the president and his administration cancelled tens of billions in grant funding that would have helped our environment while creating good paying jobs. If we want to revive the American dream, we must start by undoing the damage this administration has done. President Trump has started a forever war with Iran that’s already costing American lives, sent prices climbing, and drained our military stockpiles. Let’s end it. President Trump has imposed crippling, illegal tariffs that are driving up costs for families and small businesses alike. Let’s end them. President Trump’s immigration agenda has diverted billions in federal funding from healthcare to lawless immigration enforcement executed by undertrained officers. Let’s end it. All of it. And let’s get back to the promise that another president once made at Gettysburg: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. That’s how we move our country forward. That’s how we begin to make your life better again. Thank you, Mr. President. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-epas-decision-to-erase-climate-pollution-limits-from-power-plants/,Hickenlooper Statement on EPA’s Decision to Erase Climate Pollution Limits from Power Plants,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement blasting the Trump administration’s decision to roll back the EPA limits on pollution from power plants. “Climate change is real and worsening Colorado’s drought and wildfires. The EPA had a rule in place to limit pollution from the largest polluters to address climate change. “Yesterday’s decision by the EPA ignores science and will seriously threaten our environment. We can’t let their decision stand, and we will keep fighting to reduce pollution and stop climate change.” Hickenlooper has long pushed for real, science-based climate policy. He played a key role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which was the largest climate investment ever, and is fighting against Washington Republicans’ attempts to undermine the law. Hickenlooper has called out the Trump admin’s reckless decision to undermine the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “endangerment finding,” which determined that greenhouse gas pollution harms Americans and is a serious threat to public health. The rollback would defy decades of science, EPA precedent, and Supreme Court rulings and lead to more pollution across the U.S. Hickenlooper has also fought against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rejection of Colorado’s updated Regional Haze Plan. As Colorado governor, Hickenlooper worked with environmentalists and oil and gas companies to create the world’s first methane rules, which were later used as a national model by the Obama administration. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-welcomes-97m-in-federal-disaster-aid-for-colorado-communities/,Hickenlooper Welcomes $97M in Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Communities,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement welcoming the release of $97 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for Colorado communities to recover from past disasters and mitigate future disasters. “We’re happy to see that more federal funding is on the way for Colorado communities who need it to protect themselves and recover from destructive storms, wildfires, and flooding,” said Hickenlooper. “We’ll continue fighting for disaster aid because you never know when the weather or winds could turn and communities will need this help.” ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-visits-kids-first-health-care-to-discuss-medicaid-cuts-falling-vaccination-rates/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper Visits Kids First Health Care to Discuss Medicaid Cuts, Falling Vaccination Rates",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"New CDC data shows Colorado has the sixth-lowest reported kindergarten MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination rate among states and D.C. COLORADO – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper recently visited Kids First Health Care in Commerce City to meet with pediatric providers, public health experts, and local health care leaders about how the Trump administration’s health policies are hitting Colorado kids – including cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in HR1, and changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. The visit came on the heels of new CDC data which ranked Colorado among the states with the lowest reported MMR vaccination rates in the country. Pediatric care specialists said access to nutrition assistance and affordable food is the number one ask among families they see. The numbers back that up:12,500 Colorado children have already lost food assistance because of the cuts to SNAP in the president’s signature legislation, according to new data from the Center on Budget and Policy priorities. Another 193,000 Coloradans are projected to lose their health coverage as a result of the bill’s cuts to Medicaid, and more than one-third of Colorado’s Medicaid enrollees are children. In a subsequent Substack, Hickenlooper shared how his personal experience as a parent and scientist informs his work on these issues. “As a former scientist and the father of a three-and-a-half-year-old, the issue of healthcare is deeply personal. I know the anxiety parents feel when they drop their kids off at day care or school,” Hickenlooper wrote. “We all want the same thing: to keep our children healthy and safe. That means following the evidence and giving parents clear, reliable information they can trust.” At the event, Hickenlooper raised concerns about the Trump administration’s proposed changes to longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations, which are currently being challenged in court, and efforts to encourage states to reconsider school immunization requirements. WATCH: Fox 31 Denver: Hickenlooper Discusses Vaccines, Medicaid Cuts WATCH: Hickenlooper Discusses Cuts to Medicaid, Falling Vaccination Rates ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/14/bennet-pettersen-push-to-advance-lincoln-park-superfund-site-clean-up/,"Bennet, Pettersen Push to Advance Lincoln Park Superfund Site Clean-up",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, DC — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Representative Brittney Pettersen (D-Colo.) pushed to advance the clean-up of the Cotter / Lincoln Park Superfund Site near Cañon City, which has awaited cleanup for more than 40 years. In the letter, the lawmakers urge EPA to move forward with the next step of the Superfund remediation process, which includes developing a detailed planning document for collecting, testing, and validating environmental data from the main portion of the site to Superfund standards. The lawmakers also ask EPA to provide clear timelines to the community for progression through the overall Superfund process. “[…] It is critical that EPA continue to move forward with site mitigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), collaborating with Cotter Corporation, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the local communities to facilitate the responsible cleanup of the Lincoln Park Superfund Site,” wrote the lawmakers. The Lincoln Park Superfund site is a 2,600-acre decommissioned uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum processing mill that consistently discharged liquid waste containing radionuclides and heavy metals into 11 largely unlined waste ponds for about 20 years. In 1984, the mill was designated a Superfund site because high contamination levels posed a risk to human health and the surrounding environment. Yet, four decades later, this site has barely advanced through the Superfund process, with progress impeded by multiple ownership changes, as remediation plans need to be restructured after each liability switch. This uncertainty has left many residents frustrated and concerned about the future of the site. “Many community members have spent decades advocating for the remediation of this site, and they deserve clear information about when they can expect meaningful progress” continued the lawmakers. “Members of the Lincoln Park / Cotter Community Advisory Group appreciate the assistance of Senator Bennet and Congresswoman Pettersen in helping to move the Cotter Superfund site closer to a cleanup. The Cañon City area has waited more than 42 years. We’ve not only had no cleanup in all those decades, we have not even had comprehensive environmental testing to determine all the places that are contaminated,” said Emily Tracy, Chair of the Lincoln Park / Cotter Community Advisory Group. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Administrator Zeldin: We write in continued support of the cleanup of the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund Site in Fremont County, Colorado. As you know, the Lincoln Park Superfund Site sits two miles south of Cañon City, Colorado, a major transit and tourism hub in Southern Colorado. It is critical that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to move forward with site mitigation following the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) procedures, collaborating with Cotter Corporation, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the local communities to facilitate the responsible cleanup of the Lincoln Park Superfund Site. The 2,600-acre Lincoln Park Site has a long history of contaminating the area and cleanup has progressed minimally through CERCLA procedures since being designated a Superfund site in 1984. The site is home to the decommissioned mill managed by Cotter Corporation that processed various uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum products between 1958 and 1979, discharging liquid waste containing radionuclides and heavy metals into 11 largely unlined waste ponds. Since designation, liability for the site has switched multiple times, slowing down progress as remediation plans need to be restructured each time. The remediation timeline’s continued uncertainty has left local residents both frustrated and concerned about the future of the site. In a recent discussion with Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western, our staff was pleased to hear the Regional Administrator’s commitment to the Superfund program and to making meaningful progress at the Lincoln Park Superfund Site. In the meeting, Administrator Western underscored EPA’s commitment to promptly carrying out CERCLA procedures as written without cutting corners, while maintaining full transparency with the public and affected communities. We welcome Administrator Western’s commitment and urge EPA to ensure this process is implemented at the Lincoln Park Superfund Site and that Region 8 maintains the necessary staff and resources to carry out this vision. Many community members have spent decades advocating for the remediation of this site, and they deserve clear information about when they can expect meaningful progress. At the Lincoln Park Site, community groups report that the Quality Assurance Project Plan for Operable Unit 1 (QAPP for OU1) has been placed on “pause” for two years while Cotter Corporation undertakes immediate remediation activities, potentially outside the CERCLA process. We respectfully underscore the importance of moving forward with the CERCLA process, including completing the QAPP for OU1, without further delay. High-quality testing conducted to CERCLA standards is essential for accurately understanding risks and determining appropriate remediation. This work is particularly urgent because land within OU1 is now home to an active community and event center. Finally, we respectfully ask EPA to provide the community with concrete timelines for completing the QAPP for OU1, executing comprehensive environmental testing in OU2 and OU3 (as required by the approved QAPPs), and further advancing the CERCLA process for the Site. We thank you for your continued support for Lincoln Park Superfund Site remediation. As the CERCLA process continues, we look forward to continuing to collaborate to ensure local, state, and federal partners are satisfied with the remediation of the site. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-colleagues-challenge-trump-efforts-to-restrict-mail-in-voting/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Challenge Trump Efforts to Restrict Mail-In Voting",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"261 current and former lawmakers joined together to file amicus brief in SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Case WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives filed an amicus brief challenging the legality of President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule that imposes unconstitutional, unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail. “Mail-in voting is safe, secure, and makes our elections more accessible,” said Hickenlooper. “The Trump administration continues throwing everything at the wall to restrict the fundamental right of every American to choose their leaders. It’s an unconstitutional, authoritarian attack that we won’t let them get away with.” “Since the beginning of his administration, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have done everything they can to make our voting system less safe and secure,” said Bennet. “The Supreme Court must stand firm against this latest unconstitutional attempt to supersede the authority of states and Congress when it comes to our elections, all in an effort to make it harder for Coloradans to cast a vote by mail.” Colorado’s vote-by-mail system produced a turnout rate of 73.4% in the 2024 general election, nearly 10% higher than the national average. Of these voters, 92.2% chose to return a mail ballot. In Colorado, 90% of Colorado Republicans voted by mail during the 2024 Presidential election and 98% of Colorado Republicans voted by mail in 2025. Nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary. In the court filing, the group argued that Trump’s Executive Order and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and steal congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over administering elections. “As current and former legislators, amici took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States — including its guarantee of the separation of powers,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Constitution does not contemplate the Executive Branch acting unilaterally to assert power over federal elections. Yet that is what the Order and Final Rule do.” The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal attack on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote. “The integrity of our constitutional system depends on each branch keeping to its assigned role,” concluded the lawmakers. “The Framers set up a two-part system that gave the States default authority to regulate federal elections subject to Congress’s authority to override the States. The Framers did not provide the President with any authority to interfere in that system, nor has Congress subsequently imbued the President or the Executive Branch with any such authority by statute.” U.S. Representative Joe Neguse led the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hickenlooper and Bennet previously demanded that the USPS abandon the rule and have been staunch opposition to the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict voting rights. Both senators also introduced the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act to nullify Trump’s executive order. As governor, Hickenlooper helped create the gold standard mail-in voting system alongside Republican county clerks.Under Hickenlooper’s leadership, Colorado became the first in the nation to conduct a bipartisan statewide audit after every election. Results from the audit over the last six years show Colorado vote-counting systems were more than 99.99% accurate. Hickenlooper has consistently fought efforts by MAGA and Trump to restrict voting, including the SAVE Act, which he took to the senate floor to oppose. He also cosponsors several pieces of voting rights legislation, including the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act. The full amicus brief is available HERE. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-scotus-mail-in-voting-ruling/,Hickenlooper Statement on SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Ruling,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper filed amicus brief with court regarding case WASHINGTON – This evening, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the legality of President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule that imposes unconstitutional, unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail. “Today, the Supreme Court rightfully rejected President Trump’s latest attempt to infringe on Americans’ right to vote and avoid accountability for his disastrous record,” said Hickenlooper. “Colorado has proven that mail-in voting is safe, secure, and cost-effective. We’ll keep standing up to President Trump’s attacks on democracy and protecting every American’s fundamental right to choose their representatives.” Senator Hickenlooper recently filed an amicus brief in the case alongside a bipartisan group of 260 other lawmakers arguing against Trump’s executive order and the USPS rule. He also previously demanded that the USPS abandon the rule and has been staunch opposition to the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict voting rights. Hickenlooper introduced the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act to nullify Trump’s executive order. Hickenlooper has consistently fought efforts by MAGA and Trump to restrict voting, including the SAVE Act, which he took to the senate floor to oppose. He also cosponsors several pieces of voting rights legislation, including the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/11/bennet-schiff-schumer-booker-colleagues-demand-netanyahu-immediately-crack-down-on-settler-violence-in-west-bank-and-protect-u-s-citizens/,"Bennet, Schiff, Schumer, Booker, Colleagues Demand Netanyahu Immediately Crack Down on Settler Violence in West Bank and Protect U.S. Citizens",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and 44 Senate Democratic colleagues to demand that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take immediate actions to address surging Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, in the West Bank. The senators also called on the Israeli government to complete investigations into the deaths of nine American citizens who Israeli settlers or security forces have killed in the West Bank in recent years. “We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” wrote the senators. “[…] continued settlement expansion and fighting in the West Bank will harm Israel’s long-term security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” continued the senators. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously expressed their opposition to annexation of and violence in the West Bank, which the Israeli government has failed to address. “Like you, the safety and security of our constituents is of paramount importance. We urge your government to ensure that Americans in the Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank are able to enjoy the security and protection of property to which they are entitled. We also hope to see the conditions improved so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live in peace with each other without the fear of terrorism or lawless violence,” concluded the senators. Furthermore, the senators called for those responsible for such violent acts to be investigated and held accountable. Bennet has consistently opposed Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and urged action by both the Trump and Netanyahu administrations to stop the surge in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. In April 2026, Bennet voted to restrict certain arms sales to Israel, saying: “I have made clear that I will not vote to provide a single cent to support Trump’s war with Iran. In this case, that means opposing the sale of weapons that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would use to prosecute a regional war he launched with Trump.” In March 2026, Bennet joined a letter pressing the Trump administration for an investigation into the death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, an American citizen who was shot and killed in the West Bank by Israeli settlers. In August 2025, Bennet joined colleagues to introduced the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, which would o deter and prevent destabilizing violence in the West Bank by authorizing the imposition of sanctions on individuals who commit acts of violence that undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the region. Bennet introduced this legislation after the Trump administration revoked U.S. sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. In addition to Bennet, Schiff, Schumer, and Booker, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed the most recent letter to Netanyahu. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, We write in shared concern and opposition to the growing levels of violence in the West Bank. Many of us have previously expressed to President Trump that continued settlement expansion and fighting in the West Bank will harm Israel’s long-term security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Incidents of fatal violence by settlers have reportedly already surpassed 2025 levels and continue to increase. The last few weeks alone saw a significant surge in violence on both sides, resulting in a large-scale response by Israeli security forces, mass arrests of Palestinians, and reported attacks by settlers on mosques. We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people. We write particularly on behalf of American citizens who have been killed or threatened in such violence. Many of us have heard first-hand from their families and other constituents who have themselves been threatened without cause by settlers. We have engaged the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and your embassy in Washington to ensure their protection and appreciate measures taken on their behalf, but a more significant response from your government is clearly needed. We ask for your personal and direct engagement and intervention in order to protect our constituents and their families. President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio have expressed their opposition to all violence in the West Bank and actions aimed at annexation, but those concerns have gone unaddressed. Now, we urge you to take the following actions: Issue clear directives to the Israeli Police and Israeli Defense Forces to prevent and intervene in harassment, threats, and actual use of violence, regardless of the perpetrators. Ensure that all those responsible for harassment, threats, and violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, are held accountable through a transparent and credible process. This includes completing investigations into and ensuring accountability for the deaths of nine American citizens who have been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank since 2022. Stop approving additional settlements and stop allowing the construction of, and take steps to remove, illegal outposts in the West Bank. Like you, the safety and security of our constituents is of paramount importance. We urge your government to ensure that Americans in the Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank are able to enjoy the security and protection of property to which they are entitled. We also hope to see the conditions improved so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live in peace with each other without the fear of terrorism or lawless violence. ###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/10/bennet-hickenlooper-wyden-padilla-schiff-sound-the-alarm-on-lack-of-firefighting-resources-during-the-2026-wildfire-season/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Wyden, Padilla, Schiff Sound the Alarm on Lack of Firefighting Resources During the 2026 Wildfire Season",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to express serious concerns about the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) preparedness and ability to adequately respond to the 2026 fire season. Colorado has faced one of the most severe wildfire seasons to date, with over 240,000 acres burned and loss of wildland firefighting personnel. “[…] Record-breaking high temperatures and historic drought have led to catastrophic fires across the West, destroying thousands of homes, wreaking havoc on the economies of rural communities, stressing the budgets of local governments, and leading to the loss of four wildland firefighters and two pilots,”began the senators. Between July 18 and September 4, 2026, the national firefighting force was at preparedness level 5 with federal resources fully committed to combating wildland fires across the country. So far this year, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Wildland Fire Service has dedicated over $6 billion to fire suppression budget authority, spending nearly the entire fire suppression budget as of September 2, 2026. The West is expected to remain in peak fire season with hot, dry, and windy conditions for at least the next two months, raising concerns that federal wildfire resources and suppression funds could run out entirely. “In light of these concerns, the capacity of the federal government to sustain operations is critical. We are concerned that the agencies simply do not have enough highly qualified personnel, Incident Management Teams, and supervisory staff to sustain operations. Our offices have received reports that teams have worked more fires than is safe, using temporary supervisory structures because fully qualified personnel are not available. We have also heard that locally-led initial attack was affected by national mobilization, and that personnel have worked repeated or extended assignments. This is exceptionally concerning given that the worst of the fire season is likely yet to come and the high wildland firefighter fatality rate this season,”continued the senators. As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, Bennet has fought for adequate support for Colorado’s forests during wildfire seasons. In August 2026, Bennet and Representative Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) led the entire Colorado Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump expressing strong support for Governor Jared Polis’ request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration following massively destructive wildfires in Pueblo, Custer, and Ouray Counties. Additionally, Bennet led Senators Hickenlooper, Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John Curtis (R-Utah) to introduce a bipartisan resolution honoring this season’s wildfire casualties and all those who serve on the front lines of wildland firefighting efforts in the United States. Bennet and Hickenlooper also introduced the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act to mitigate the growing mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado. Bennet has also consistently pushed USFS to respond to drought, prioritize hazardous fuels reduction, and reduce wildfire risk. In March 2026, Bennet urged USFS Chief Tom Schultz to prioritize proactive wildfire mitigation efforts in the West. In December 2025, Bennet urged Schultz to address persistent staffing shortages and mounting setbacks to wildfire risk reduction efforts across the West and the country. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretaries Burgum and Rollins: We write with serious concern about the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued preparedness to respond to the 2026 fire season. Record- breaking high temperatures and historic drought have led to catastrophic fires across the West, destroying thousands of homes, wreaking havoc on the economies of rural communities, stressing the budgets of local governments, and leading to the loss of four wildland firefighters and two pilots. The national firefighting force was at preparedness Level 5 between July 18 and September 4, meaning that federal resources were fully committed for nearly seven weeks. With several weeks remaining in peak fire season, fire conditions could continue to strain an already stretched system. In light of these concerns, the capacity of the federal government to sustain operations is critical. We are concerned that the agencies simply do not have enough highly qualified personnel, Incident Management Teams, and supervisory staff to sustain operations. Our offices have received reports that teams have worked more fires than is safe, using temporary supervisory structures because fully qualified personnel are not available. We have also heard that locally led initial attack was affected by national mobilization, and that personnel have worked repeated or extended assignments. This is exceptionally concerning given the high wildland firefighter fatality rate this season. We are also concerned that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) may run out of fire suppression funds this year. As you know, these two agencies had over $6 billion in fire suppression budget authority for Fiscal Year 2026. However, as of September 2, nearly the entire fire suppression budget has been spent. With over four weeks left in the fiscal year, USFS and USWFS may need to borrow funding from other accounts to pay for fire suppression. Please respond to the following questions within 10 days: Every day of this fire season, wildland fire personnel have put themselves in harm’s way as they work to suppress fires. Tragically, 9 first responders have given their lives this summer responding to fires. Now, more than ever, we must do everything possible to support those who have returned to the front lines after watching their colleagues fall. Why are we seeing so many firefighter fatalities, entrapments, and shelter deployments this year? To what extent has the full suppression policy contributed to a higher rate of injuries and fatalities this summer? In response to the deaths of so many response personnel, what resources are USFS and USWFS deploying to ensure the safety of wildland firefighters? How are DOI and USDA prioritizing safety? How many hours of overtime have wildland firefighters, and specifically Hotshot and Type 1 crews, accumulated so far this year? How does that compare to the past? In 2025, DOI and USDA cut nearly 8,700 public servants, USFS alone reducing its staff by 16% (approximately 6,000 full-time equivalents) nationwide. We are especially concerned about the loss of highly-qualified personnel, supervisory capacity, and red- card holders in high-level fire management positions. We are now hearing from communities across the West that requests for crews are going unfilled. How many complex incident management teams are operating this year? Please also provide data on the number of complex incident management teams for the last ten years. How many personnel are working repeated or extended assignments? Describe how DOI and USDA are managing current shortfalls in wildland firefighting teams and supervisory capacity. What, if any, plans do DOI and USDA have to increase the number of Incident Management Teams to historic (or greater) levels? How does the number of contract federal wildland firefighter crews compare this year to previous years? In Fiscal Year 2025, USFS and DOI spent a combined $5.9 billion on suppression, a $1.5 billion increase from the previous most expensive year. As stated previously, the agencies have already spent over 70% of their $6 billion FY26 budget authority. As of August 31, 2026, fires have already burned nearly twice the acreage compared to 2025 (8,238,284 acres in 2026, up from 4,142,738 over the same window in 2025). Explain why there was such a dramatic increase in spending in FY25 and how FY25 spending informed FY26 operations. How are USDA and DOI ensuring that, after record spending in FY25, FY26 dollars are being spent as efficiently as possible to account for the significant increase in burning acres? Going into the 2026 fire season, did USDA and DOI expect to have spent 70% of their budget authority by this point in the summer? With the potential exhaustion of fire suppression funding this year, the federal agencies will likely be forced to use appropriated funding from other accounts to pay for fire suppression, a practice known as “fire borrowing.” To what extent are USDA and DOI rationing other resources this summer in preparation for potential fire borrowing? Describe the appropriated accounts that USFS and USWFS would borrow from in order to fund fire suppression. Will USFS and USWFS borrow from accounts that fund hazardous fuels reduction, watershed restoration, state and Tribal forestry, Burned Area Emergency Response, Emergency Response, or other similar accounts focused on reducing the threat of and responding to wildland fire? We have been glad to work with the agencies to raise pay for federal wildland firefighters. Temporary wildland firefighters (1039) continue to face pay caps and limitations on their employment. Given the extreme fire season, the Administration, in partnership with Congress, must take all necessary steps to compensate all front-line first responders. Describe to what extent the agency has had, if any, ongoing discussions to extend the federal temporary 1039 appointment, allowing seasonal workers greater flexibility to continue fighting fires. To what extent are seasonal workers approaching the caps associated with 1039 appointments? 5 U.S.C. § 5545(c)(iii), passed in March 2025, requires USDA, DOI, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that the compensation paid to wildfire personnel is consistent with FY2023 levels. What steps have you taken to implement this law? At the beginning of the 2026 fire season, agency officials discussed the successes of fighting fires in 2025. To what extent does weather factor into the differences between the 2025 wildland fire season and the 2026 wildland fire season? Describe how the organizational changes and restructuring of the wildland fire organizations address the issues associated with prolonged drought and extreme weather. Thank you for your prompt response to our questions. ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-applauds-denver-lawsuit-to-block-armed-ice-agents-at-voting-sites/,Hickenlooper Applauds Denver Lawsuit to Block Armed ICE Agents at Voting Sites,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper has previously introduced legislation to stop Trump from using federal law enforcement to interfere with elections WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the below statement applauding the lawsuit filed by the City of Denver and civil right groups to block armed ICE agents at voting sites. “The only conceivable reason for ICE to be at polling places is to spread the same fear and intimidation we’ve already seen in our communities,”said Hickenlooper. “Every eligible American should be able to cast their ballot freely and safely. We’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to protect that sacred right.” Earlier this year, Hickenlooper introduced the Protect our Polls Act that would restrict the deployment of armed federal law enforcement or military forces to polling places. He has pushed for efforts that would prevent immigration enforcement from targeting polling locations, as well as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Hickenlooper has been outspoken in the face of ICE’s lawlessness and demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of the agency to stop ICE from terrorizing our communities. Hickenlooper also voted against the DHS funding bill because it failed to overhaul ICE. He has consistently pushed for more oversight andtransparency for federal immigration enforcement efforts, and has worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE. In January, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the horrifying killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, condemn the reports that families in Eagle County found “death cards” left in the cars of family members taken by ICE agents, and to demand the overhaul of ICE. He’s shown up at ICE facilities previously to conduct congressional oversight visits and raise concerns about ICE disregarding due process. He helped launch an investigation into ICE’s unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight, introduced legislation to ban ICE from wearing masks, and pushed to cut back the excessive funding that MAGA Republicans gave to ICE. ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-mccormick-announce-formation-of-senate-bipartisan-science-and-innovation-caucus/,"Hickenlooper, McCormick Announce Formation of Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Kickoff event for caucus will take place at U.S. Capitol on Sept 14 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Dave McCormick announced the formation of the U.S. Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus to highlight and elevate American scientific research and the application of those discoveries to promote innovation. Caucus members will work together with industry leaders and the research community to develop policies that promote U.S. leadership in science. “Science propels our economy, saves lives, and solves the problems that once seemed unsolvable,” said Hickenlooper. “This caucus exists for one reason: to make sure Congress is fighting as hard for American innovation as our scientists and researchers are. The stakes are too high for anything less.” “America’s economic strength and national security have always been powered by our ability to innovate, and that begins with world-class scientific research,” said McCormick. “As we compete to maintain America’s position as the world’s leading superpower, this bipartisan caucus will help unleash the ingenuity of our scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to drive economic growth, create opportunity, and strengthen our nation.” The United States has been a global economic leader for the past 50 years because of our dedication to science, technology, and innovation. Federally-funded research led to the invention of optical fibers, microchips, personal computers, mobile phones, robotics, cutting-edge medicine, and more. Jobs in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine make up34% of the U.S. workforce. Economic activity from these fields generates 39% of U.S. GDP – over $10 trillion dollars. The United States spends only 3% of its GDP on research and development (R&D) and innovation. Federally funded R&D dollars are doubled in returns: every $1 invested generates nearly $2 in economic output. This is substantially higher than the returns on other forms of federal investment. China is overtaking the United States in R&D funding, graduating more PhDs in STEM programs, filing more international patents than the U.S., and narrowing the gap on venture capital investment. The Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus plans to host briefings, engage in roundtables and other conversations about existing and new policies, and provide a venue for discourse about new legislation to boost American scientific research and our STEM workforce. Hickenlooper is the only peer-reviewed scientist currently serving in the U.S. Senate, a former geologist, and a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. A kickoff event celebrating the caucus will be held on Monday, September 14th at the United States Capitol. ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-visits-southeast-colorado-highlights-water-housing-veterans-care-healthcare/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper Visits Southeast Colorado, Highlights Water, Housing, Veterans’ Care, Healthcare",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"COLORADO – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper visited Hasty, La Junta, Pueblo, Limon, and Lamar to meet with Coloradans and discuss top-of-mind issues. Hickenlooper stopped by the John Martin Reservoir to receive an update on the progress of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), which he has helped secure hundreds of millions in federal funds to complete. They highlighted how President Trump has risked 50,000 Coloradans’ access to clean drinking water by vetoing Hickenlooper’s bipartisan Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. Watch our video at the reservoir to hear more HERE. In La Junta, Hickenlooper toured the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and met with county officials. They discussed the community’s concerns about the Pueblo sewage spill impacting farmers and ranchers downstream, as well as the strains on rural healthcare and the importance of completing the AVC. Earlier, Hickenlooper toured the Vail Hotel in Pueblo – one of Colorado’s historic hotels turned into a public housing project – and met with local leaders to discuss the increasing cost of housing in Pueblo. From 2014 to 2024, Pueblo’s average rent rose from $593 in 2014 to $1,161 in 2024 – a 96% increase. Meanwhile, the average renter in Pueblo makes just over $39,000 a year. Hickenlooper highlighted how the bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act, will help bring down the cost of housing and address the housing shortage Colorado faces. Watch Hickenlooper speak at visit to the Vail Hotel HERE. On Wednesday, Hickenlooper convened local leaders to discuss the impacts and clean-up plans for the recent sewage spill in Pueblo, which released more than four million gallons of raw sewage into the Arkansas River Thursday, August 27th. Local health officials say that E. Coli levels down-stream of the spill are “extremely high,” which poses a severe health risk to recreationists and down-stream ranchers and farmers. Officials have expanded advisories, urging residents to stay out of the water until testing shows it’s safe. Drinking water for surrounding communities remains unharmed by the spill. Watch Hickenlooper react to his visit HERE. Hickenlooper toured the Prowers Medical Center in Lamar to highlight how Trump and MAGA Republicans’ extreme budget gutted our healthcare system and created a healthcare crisis. A report by Public Citizen identified Prowers Medical Center as one of nine hospitals most at-risk of being forced to cut services or close due to Republicans’ healthcare cuts. There, he heard about the importance of the hospitals’ birth center – the only facility offering comprehensive labor and delivery services in Southeast Colorado. When the center closed briefly between 2021 until 2023, expectant mothers had to drive all the way to Pueblo for care – a significant health risk in emergencies. Hickenlooper met with local veterans, Veterans Service Officers, and state veterans affairs representatives to discuss challenges veterans living in rural areas face, including having to drive hours to receive their care and benefits. Hickenlooper also heard from local ranchers and farmers about how they’re adjusting to the extreme drought, this administration’s tariffs, and the increasing costs of diesel and fertilizer caused by the war in Iran. One young farmer shared that he had to sell all of his cattle to pay off debts and, ultimately, close his family’s farm after he couldn’t keep up with rising costs. Check out what they’re saying: Pueblo Chieftain: Leaders discuss next steps after 4 million-gallon Pueblo sewage spill About a week after millions of gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Arkansas River through a defective wastewater pipe, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and state and local leaders met at Pueblo’s Confluence Park to discuss a path forward. …“This is the worst nightmare,” Hickenlooper said at a Sept. 2 press conference. “We do everything we can to make sure that our sewage stays where it is supposed to be and goes where it needs to get so that we can process it, and make sure we don’t have any risk to our food we grow and the water we drink. Once in a while, problems happen.” …Hickenlooper says Trump’s denial of disaster funding for Democratic-led states is ‘not acceptable’ Hickenlooper told the Chieftain there have been recent issues with the processing of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster applications for Colorado and other Democratic-leaning states under the Trump administration. In March, Politico reported that “blue states” are three times less likely than Republican-leaning states to have disaster funding approved under Trump. “Obviously, that’s not acceptable,” Hickenlooper said. “This country has never functioned that way, and it never should. We are working with Republicans, as well as Democrats, to make sure that we’re all unified on this, because this could happen anywhere.” FOX 21: Officials provide update on cleanup efforts after major Arkansas River spill Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper stood alongside state and local officials on Wednesday, Sep. 2, as they gave an update on how they’re addressing the Arkansas River sewage spill. As state officials said bacteria levels are still “significantly elevated,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has expanded water contact advisories to more locations. “The key is to not lose our unity and to recognize that the way to get through this is to come together,” said Sen. Hickenlooper. …But for farmers, ranchers, and locals, Sen. Hickenlooper said dealing with the spill is a challenge. “We’re already having one of the worst droughts in Colorado’s history. It’s been just as bad down here, a little wetter this summer, but hailstorms, all the challenges, the people that grow our food have had to endure all summer long; this is the culmination of a very hard time,” he said. Sen. Hickenlooper said he will push for help in Washington when disasters like this happen. “We have a responsibility in the federal government to step up and support not just the water providers and the growers of our food, but the whole community, so we’re going to do everything we can in Washington, I guarantee that,” said Sen. Hickenlooper. KOAA 5: U.S. senator visits Pueblo to discuss affordable housing law and local development plans U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper visited Pueblo Wednesday to discuss the affordable housing crisis with local leaders, gathering for a roundtable focused on how the city plans to address the shortage. …The 21st Century Road to Housing Law was passed by Congress in July. The law creates incentives for states and local governments to increase housing production and reduce barriers to construction. “It’s a huge investment in financing for affordable housing,” Hickenlooper said. Hickenlooper said the law also addresses corporate purchasing of residential properties. “It also restrains that Wall Street can’t come into your community and buy a bunch of houses, which raises the price, doesn’t add any housing, just makes it more expensive for everybody,” Hickenlooper said. …“It’s looking at how can we be simpler and not have to go through all the red tape and bureaucracy when we’re trying to build affordable housing,” added Hickenlooper. KKTV: Officials say Sewage leak stopped, but Arkansas River contamination moves downstream State and local officials gathered in Pueblo on Wednesday to address a sewage spill that sent millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into the Arkansas River. …Sen. John Hickenlooper joined Pueblo County and state officials at the news conference, emphasizing the need to address both the immediate contamination and the cause of the spill. “We have a team that’s going to do everything possible to make sure we find out why it happened, B, do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again, and C, deal with this situation in real time,” Hickenlooper said. KKTV: U.S. senator visits Pueblo to discuss affordable housing law and local development plans U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper visited Pueblo Wednesday to discuss the affordable housing crisis with local leaders, gathering for a roundtable focused on how the city plans to address the shortage. “There’s a shortage, there’s a backlog,” said Steven Trujillo, Director of the Housing Authority of Pueblo. …The 21st Century Road to Housing Law was passed by Congress in July. The law creates incentives for states and local governments to increase housing production and reduce barriers to construction. “It’s a huge investment in financing for affordable housing,” Hickenlooper said. Hickenlooper said the law also addresses corporate purchasing of residential properties. “It also restrains that Wall Street can’t come into your community and buy a bunch of houses, which raises the price, doesn’t add any housing, just makes it more expensive for everybody,” Hickenlooper said. …“It’s looking at how can we be simpler and not have to go through all the red tape and bureaucracy when we’re trying to build affordable housing,” added Hickenlooper. The Prowers Journal: Senator John Hickenlooper visits Prowers Medical Center to discuss rural health care challenges with representatives from area hospitals Senator John Hickenlooper visited Prowers Medical Center on September 3, taking a tour of the facility and then meeting with representatives from area hospitals to discuss rural health care challenges. Present for the meeting were: Karen Bryant, CEO at PMC, Dr. Richard Book, Chief of Staff at PMC, Rita Bastian, Nursing Manager of New Beginnings Birth Center at PMC, Tina Sandoval, Chief Clinical Officer at PMC, Beth Bell, CEO at Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads, and Dr. Anthony Brocato, CEO at Southeast Colorado Hospital District in Springfield. Also present were Joe Spitz, Board Chairman for PMC, Lamar mayor Kirk Crespin, and Prowers County Commissioner Roger Stagner. Amber Thompson, Executive Assistant to CEO Karen Bryant, was the moderator for the discussion, presenting the questions and introducing the speakers. Ms. Bryant opened the discussion by thanking Senator Hickenlooper for reaching out and asking if he could come to Lamar and hear them talk to him about rural health care in southeast Colorado. Hickenlooper told the group “My main point in being here is to gather stories and express gratitude. Thank you all, for not just coming today, but for being part of the solution. As humans, we’ve always got problems; we’re always trying to sort through things. The only way we can do that is by coming together and hearing and actually listening, so I’m here to listen.” Speaking of the divide in government in Washington, he said “Health care is going to be THE battle. I’m sure Karen (Bryant) has told you, come January 1 and really so on April 1, we are going to see many cuts in Medicaid and we will have real challenges. It’s a reality that we all share and the more good stories I can take back to D.C., the higher the probability that I will have a story that will catch hold of some appropriator. It’s stories, not just the cold facts, but the stories that help us. In the past, we were pretty successful in getting our share of federal support and I think we can get back to that. Your stories are helping.” …The open discussion that followed included the nursing shortage as well as those contract labor costs. Senator Hickenlooper said he felt that there needed to be new ways to train nurses, including developing programs that start in high school. Brant said that PMC is on pace to spend $11 million this year just for contract labor in addition to the $17 million for salaried employees, which is a huge burden for the hospital. She said they feel they need to have the physician staff levels that they do because “we never know what’s going to be coming through our doors. It’s just really important to make sure you hear our story. We’re in rural America. We’re it. As we talked about on the tour- the OB-GYN that’s here or the surgeon that’s here, they’re it. They’re 24 hours for the two weeks they’re on, so we’ve got to support them to care for patients”. Hickenlooper concluded the discussion, telling the group “Your stories are so valuable. We have to have healthcare in these rural areas. Thanks so much for being here – you’re doing God’s work”. WATCH: FOX (Colorado Springs, CO): Arkansas River Sewage Spill NBC (Colorado Springs, CO): Arkansas River Sewage Spill CBS (Grand Junction, CO): Arkansas River Sewage Spill NBC (Colorado Springs, CO): Pueblo Affordable Housing Roundtable FOX (Colorado Springs, CO): Pueblo Affordable Housing Roundtable LISTEN: KOA (Denver, CO): Arkansas River Sewage Spill ###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/08/bennet-booker-warnock-van-hollen-colleagues-demand-hud-reverse-changes-gutting-fair-housing-program/,"Bennet, Booker, Warnock, Van Hollen, Colleagues Demand HUD Reverse Changes Gutting Fair Housing Program",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and 28 Senate colleagues to demand the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rescind a series of proposed changes that would fundamentally undermine implementation of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which funds nonprofit organizations on the front lines of combating housing discrimination and enforcing fair housing protections nationwide. In their letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the senators warned that HUD’s Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 funding notices threaten to strip funding from organizations that handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints in the country. The senators blasted the new funding notices for bypassing the intent of Congress and fundamentally reshaping the program. The changes lock out experienced fair housing organizations, prioritize first-time applicants over groups with proven track records, and abandon organizations that have protected Americans from discrimination for decades. “Dedicated local fair housing organizations, functioning on small budgets, provide an indispensable service for so many Americans: disabled veterans who require reasonable accommodations in housing, seniors and people with disabilities who need accessible housing, families with children turned away illegally from renting a home, women who are experiencing sexual harassment from landlords, survivors of domestic violence who have been improperly evicted, and victims of racial and other forms of unlawful discrimination,” wrote the senators. The senators noted that this latest move is part of a pattern: the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to dismantle fair housing protections, including failed attempts to terminate FHIP grants and proposing to eliminate the program’s funding altogether, despite strong bipartisan support in Congress. The senators called on Secretary Turner to immediately rescind and reissue the FY25 and FY26 FHIP funding notices in line with federal law and longstanding program standards. They also demanded HUD turn over information by August 10, 2026 on how the new funding process was developed and implemented, including internal analyses, communications with potential recipients, and any future changes planned for fair housing policy. In addition to Bennet, Booker, Warnock, and Van Hollen, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) signed the letter. In December 2025, Bennet introduced the More Homes on the Market Act, a bill to make housing more available and affordable by incentivizing homeowners to sell their homes and increasing market supply. In November 2025, Bennet urged Secretary Turner to immediately halt reported plans to make drastic changes to the Continuum of Care program, which could result in nearly 200,000 Americans being forced out of their housing and back into homelessness. In August 2025, Bennet demanded answers from Secretary Turner on cuts to agency staff and the lease termination of the HUD Denver Regional Office. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Turner: We write to express deep concerns regarding recent actions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) that would undermine the implementation of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). On July 2, 2026, HUD proposed a series of sweeping changes that if fully implemented, could shutter the doors of local fair housing organizations that handle more than 74 percent of the housing discrimination complaints across the country. On July 2, 2026, HUD released four notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for FY 25 and FY 26 FHIP funding. For FY 25, HUD makes no funding available for the Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) and Private Enforcement Initiatives (PEI), two programs that have been central to FHIP NOFOs for many years, which would essentially block FY 25 money from going to local fair housing organizations. For FY 26, while HUD provides funding for the EOI and PEI components of FHIP in line with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, HUD has made any organization that received FY 23 or FY 24 PEI awards ineligible for FY 26 PEI funds. Further, all four NOFOs give considerable preference to new, first time FHIP applicants, further penalizing existing grantees who have an expertise in doing this work in a cost-effective manner in local communities. These significant changes run counter to the intent of Congress that consistently appropriates funds for these essential programs and services in a bipartisan manner. This latest effort is on the heels of the Trump Administration’s failed attempts last year to dismantle fair housing protections. HUD was sued regarding the attempted termination of FHIP grants in 2025, and in a strong rebuke of HUD’s position, a federal judge ordered the reinstatement of terminated FHIP awards. Then when HUD refused to use FY 24 FHIP funding to award new grants and administer existing multi-year awards, a federal judge once again stepped in and noted that HUD’s argument that it could not be compelled to award the funds “is not the law.” The Trump administration has also targeted local fair housing groups through the budget process, requesting no funding for the FHIP program for FY 26. However, the FHIP program was funded by Congress for FY 26 with strong bipartisan support. The Trump administration again requested no funding for the FHIP program for FY 27. Meanwhile, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) continues to create delays in the apportionment process. OMB did not apportion the FY 25 FHIP funding until November 20, 2025. No funds were apportioned for the FY 26 Fair Housing Activities account, which includes FHIP, at the start of FY 26 as required by OMB’s own guidance and standard practice, and it was not until July 28, 2026 that OMB finally issued any apportionments for FY 26 Fair Housing Activities. OMB’s own guidance requires agencies to submit apportionments within 10 days of enactment, and most other HUD accounts have received apportionments since the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 over six months ago. Time and time again, federal courts and bipartisan coalitions in Congress have rejected the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine fair housing protections for American families. Dedicated local fair housing organizations, functioning on small budgets, provide an indispensable service for so many Americans: disabled veterans who require reasonable accommodations in housing, seniors and people with disabilities who need accessible housing, families with children turned away illegally from renting a home, women who are experiencing sexual harassment from landlords, survivors of domestic violence who have been improperly evicted, and victims of racial and other forms of unlawful discrimination. Rather than protecting the rights of all of these people and more, HUD is redirecting $25 million into one large award to target state and local government agencies that have programs to “prevent[] displacement and/or increase[e] housing choice” by developing complaints against them and referring them to HUD, and heavily preferencing this award to universities with ABA approved law schools. The funding notice also suggests the recipient should use these funds appropriated for local fair housing enforcement to support “property owners” and “landlords.” Put simply, it appears that HUD is attempting to convert a longstanding program that efficiently and effectively makes fair housing real in so many communities into a fund to reward the administration’s political allies and further its political objectives. The day after these funding notices were issued, HUD Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor sent an internal email that raised further significant questions and concerns. The email described an “organizational transformation” related to HUD’s administration of fair housing laws and that “[m]ore will be revealed in due course.” Mr. Trainor’s email referenced the words of President Trump in calling this organizational transformation of fair housing part of a “noble tradition” of “Anglo-Saxons” and the “first Americans.” The Fair Housing Act protects all Americans, regardless of their race or national origin, and Mr. Trainor’s remarks reasonably call into question his commitment to this fundamental aspect of his statutory position created by the Fair Housing Act. Given the devastating effect on local communities that HUD’s unprecedented repurposing of FHIP grants will have, we ask that you rescind HUD’s FY 25 and FY 26 FHIP NOFOs immediately and re-issue notices consistent with the historical standards and laws governing the program, ensuring that private, nonprofit fair housing organizations are eligible to compete for FY 25 and FY 26 funding. Also, given the effects that HUD’s funding notices and other actions are expected to have on the agency’s mission and operations, we ask that you provide the following information by August 17, 2026: A list of all meetings, emails, phone calls, or other contacts by Mr. Trainor and any other HUD officials with law schools, nonprofits, media agencies, or other groups who may be intended recipients under HUD’s FHIP funding notices; A copy of all internal legal or other analysis performed by HUD on the compliance of its FHIP funding notices with the law or on the fundamental restructuring of the FHIP funding notices compared to prior fiscal years, including the FY 24 FHIP funding notices issued under the Trump administration on July 29, 2025; A list of all HUD officials who participated in drafting or approving its FHIP funding notices; Details on HUD’s request to OMB to apportion the FY 25 and FY 26 Fair Housing Activities funding, including for FHIP, with dates on when such requests were submitted to OMB; All draft cooperative agreements, implementation guidance, instructions to awardees, internal guidance, or other documents that HUD has prepared to date to implement the FHIP funding notices; A summary of the intended changes to fair housing programs and requirements that HUD will be pursuing through rules identified on its unified agenda, including interim final and direct to final rules; A copy of all internal legal or other analysis performed by HUD supporting its decision to rescind fair housing guidance documents; and A list of any internal and public-facing guidance documents related to fair housing and civil rights requirements that HUD intends to issue through the end of 2026. We appreciate your prompt attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your timely response. ###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/04/bennet-hosts-conversations-with-colorados-next-generation-about-building-a-future-they-can-thrive-in/,Bennet Hosts Conversations With Colorado’s Next Generation About Building a Future They Can Thrive In,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — This week, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet hosted two conversations with Colorado’s next generation, one with young professionals through CiviCO’s Civic Pop-Up Series and another with students in an AP Government class at Vista PEAK Preparatory School in Aurora. The conversations focused on a simple question: What should the government do for the next generation, and how do we make sure it delivers? What does the American Dream look like for their generations? For younger generations, the path to a good life is getting harder. Housing costs have risen sharply and many young people are finding that buying a home, building a career, and starting a family is more difficult than it was for previous generations. The people at these events shared the perspective that the institutions and systems shaping their lives were built for a different time and do not reflect the challenges they face today. They want to know what their government can do to address those challenges and whether it can deliver meaningful results. “Colorado is the best state in the country. But everywhere I go, I hear people who are working hard and still finding it harder to get ahead,” said Bennet. “For younger generations, some of the milestones that previous generations were able to take for granted, like buying a home, building a career, or starting a family, can feel much further out of reach. I am optimistic about our ability to change that and build an American Dream for the next generation.” Bennet said the government has a role to play, but it cannot do this alone. Building a stronger future will require people who are willing to get involved, try new things, build their communities, and speak up when they see something that needs to change. “Young people are going to live with the decisions we make today,” said Bennet. “We owe it to them to pay attention and learn what it is like to be a young person growing up in Colorado, what you are excited about, what concerns you, and what you think we could do differently.” At CiviCO, Bennet joined young professionals for a conversation about leadership, civic participation, and the challenges facing their generation. CiviCO brings together leaders from the private sector, philanthropy, and communities across Colorado. The conversation was part of CiviCO’s Civic Pop-Up Series, which brings Colorado leaders together with community members to discuss issues facing the state. The event was hosted in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, with Omni serving as the convening partner. “We’re in a moment that demands less performance and more listening. Senator Bennet modeled that yesterday, and the room responded. The Coloradans in that room were transparent, vulnerable, and honest. They want to be part of this. Yesterday gave them a place to begin,” said D.J. Whetter, Managing Director, CiviCO from Omni. At Vista PEAK Preparatory School, Bennet joined Ms. Scott’s AP Government class for a conversation about civic engagement and students’ vision for a stronger Colorado and country. Bennet opened the discussion by asking students what their biggest concerns for the future are and what they believe could make a positive difference for themselves, their families, and their communities. “It’s encouraging to hear Senator Bennet recognize the challenges younger generations are facing and take accountability for the decisions that helped create them,” said Lawrence Temple III, a student in Ms. Scott’s AP Government class at Vista PEAK Preparatory School. “He said our generation should be an influencing force in politics and government sooner rather than later. It makes me want to be more knowledgeable and learn more so that I can have a say in what happens next.” ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/09/04/bennet-statement-welcoming-federal-disaster-aid-for-colorados-aspen-acres-and-gold-mountain-fires/,Bennet Statement Welcoming Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado’s Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued a statement following the announcement of federal disaster aid to support communities recovering from wildfires in Pueblo, Custer, Ouray, and Dolores Counties. “Following an outpouring of local support for disaster relief, I am glad to see the approval of the State’s request for a major disaster declaration and public assistance. This funding will help Ouray, Dolores, Pueblo, and Custer Counties rebuild after wildfires burned more than 200,000 acres in their counties this summer, destroying critical infrastructure, water supplies, and hundreds of homes and structures. The President must now approve the Governor’s request for individual assistance and hazard mitigation funding as well as the overdue federal assistance for the Lee and Elk Fires and extreme flooding in Southwest Colorado that occurred last year.” ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-welcomes-federal-disaster-aid-for-colorados-aspen-acres-and-gold-mountain-fires/,Hickenlooper Welcomes Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado’s Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"DENVER — Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper welcomed the announcement of federal disaster aid for communities recovering from the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo, Custer, and Dolores counties and the Gold Mountain Fire in Ouray County. Hickenlooper also urged the Trump administration to swiftly approve Colorado’s remaining requests for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant funding. “We’re glad to see the communities impacted by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires will begin receiving some of the critical federal resources they need and deserve to help get back on their feet,” said Hickenlooper. “We’ll continue standing shoulder to shoulder with those impacted by these tragedies and urge the administration to swiftly approve Colorado’s remaining requests for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant funding.”",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/new-report-co-families-have-spent-4000-more-on-goods-services-under-president-trump/,"New Report: CO Families Have Spent $4,000 More On Goods & Services Under President Trump",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper: Colorado is facing a cost-of-living emergency WASHINGTON – As President Trump’s tariffs and unpopular war with Iran continue to crush Colorado families, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper highlighted the cost-of-living emergency that’s hurting the state. According to an August report by the Joint Economic Committee Minority, Colorado families have spent $4,000 more in goods and services under President Trump. Some of the key findings from the report include: Energy Costs: People across Colorado have spent over $1 billion more on gas since the beginning of the war. That means the average family in Colorado has spent $584 more on gas. Families in Colorado paid at least $80 more for electricity in 2025 under President Trump than they did in 2024. In the first half of 2026, Colorado families paid an estimated $66 more for electricity than they did in the first half of 2024. Housing Costs: Colorado families have had to spend $496 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments since President Trump took office. Grocery Costs: Americans paid $310 more for groceries in President Trump’s first year than in 2024, and grocery prices are now more than 4 percent higher than when Trump took office. Healthcare: Monthly Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums have risen over 50% on average in 2026 compared to last year while deductibles surged to record highs increasing by more than $1,000 on average. “As I travel across Colorado this month, we keep hearing the same thing: everyday essentials cost too much,” said Hickenlooper. “Colorado is facing a cost-of-living emergency made worse by President Trump’s illegal war, tariffs, and massive healthcare cuts. We’ve got to reverse these harmful policies and make life more affordable for working families.” Watch Hickenlooper discuss the cost-of-living emergency on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube While President Trump continues his war with Iran, Hickenlooper has been fighting to lower costs for Americans. Last month, he celebrated the committee passage of his bipartisan Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, which would create true transparency in healthcare pricing and is a first step towards universal healthcare. The bill will help lower healthcare prices through creating opportunities for consumers to compare prices, leading to competition among providers to lower costs. Hickenlooper helped champion the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to address the national affordable housing shortage by cutting red tape to build more homes, investing in programs to lower the cost of buying a house, and preventing corporations from dominating the housing market. In 2021, he worked with the Colorado delegation to deliver more than $3.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for the state, which included more than $500 million towards affordable housing investments and $300 million in emergency rental assistance for low-income households. Hickenlooper has spoken multiple times on the Senate floor condemning Trump for dragging America into a highly unpopular war that’s driving the cost-of-living through the roof. Hickenlooper has consistently voted to end Trump’s costly and deadly war. He’s called out skyrocketing gas prices and costly impacts on farmers’ bottom lines. Hickenlooper is concerned by the loss of life created by Trump’s war, including the deaths of U.S. servicemembers abroad and the increasing civilian death toll. Hickenlooper has traveled across Colorado to hear from workers, ranchers, and farmers getting crushed by the increasing prices fueled by the war. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of healthcare. This spring, Hickenlooper met with truckers, construction and plumbing small businesses, labor unions, and rideshare drivers to discuss how the President’s tariffs and his reckless war in Iran – and the resulting spike in gas prices – is hurting transportation-dependent industries. He heard from a rideshare driver who was struggling to keep food on the table thanks to the increasing prices caused by the war. ###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-visits-southwest-colorado-talks-tribal-issues-innovation-drought-wildfires-childcare-more/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper Visits Southwest Colorado, Talks Tribal Issues, Innovation, Drought, Wildfires, Childcare, More",2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"COLORADO – In case you missed it, Senator John Hickenlooper took to the road this week to meet with Coloradans in Durango, Towaoc, Dolores, Ouray, and Ridgway. Hickenlooper arrived in Durango on Wednesday for a full day of events. He started the day at Agile Space Industries for a tour and ribbon-cutting event at their new expanded facility. The senator received a first-hand look at how Colorado is leading the country in aerospace innovation. Senator Hickenlooper then made his way to the site of the largest gasoline spill in Colorado history, which occurred two years ago when a pipeline ruptured near Durango. There, he met with Tribal, local, state, and federal officials to receive an update on cleanup efforts led by the company responsible for the spill, Enterprise Products. In discussion with residents and officials, Hickenlooper heard about damage already done to local water resources. Watch Hickenlooper provide an update from the ground here The senator, a father of two himself, made his way to the opening ceremony of the Durango Powerhouse’s brand new WonderLab Early Learning Childcare Center. There, he spoke on the importance of funding childcare in Colorado at a time when slots are at a premium. Watch Hickenlooper’s remarks outside the Durango Powerhouse here Thursday, Senator Hickenlooper met with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council (UMUT) to hear about the Tribe’s priorities, including water projects, law enforcement funding, and the recently terminated Bears Ear Commission. The group celebrated Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Hickenlooper helped secure for various UMUT projects. Hickenlooper expressed his continued support for Tribal sovereignty and pledged to continue fighting for federal funding that helps address Tribal needs. Hickenlooper continued his day at the McPhee Reservoir outside Dolores and Cortez, where he met with water managers, county commissioners, farmers, and other experts to discuss how the 1,200-year record drought across the West is impacting Colorado. McPhee has dropped 15 feet in one year and stands at 42% capacity. The group chatted about how to move forward with a new water reality that places the state and region in crisis. Watch Hickenlooper’s update from McPhee Reservoir here On Friday, Hickenlooper began his day attending a forest management event in Ouray, where he secured $600,000 in CDS funding for a project to reduce fuels, improve forest health, and enhance safety for recreationists and firefighters in an area with heightened wildfire risk. He received a tour of the project’s progress and discussed forest management with local and federal forest managers and elected officials. Shortly after, Ouray County officials gave Hickenlooper a tour of the damage from the Gold Mountain Fire and subsequent flooding and debris flows. On the tour, the senator received updates on local efforts to recover from these disasters. Hickenlooper has written to President Trump urging him to approve Colorado’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Up the road in Ridgway, Senator Hickenlooper finished his week by sitting down with local business owners and leaders to discuss the impacts of drought and the Gold Mountain Fire on the local economy. Check out what they’re saying: Durango Herald: Hickenlooper: Pipeline safety standard should be ‘zero accidents U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said he’s not sure if the federal pipeline regulatory agency has failed to adequately protect residents and investigate pipeline failures like the one that occurred nearly two years ago south of Durango – but he intends to find out. …If this is PHMSA’s normal pace, “they’re not meeting their standard” and that’s unacceptable, Hickenlooper told The Durango Herald after Wednesday’s tour. …Like aviation, the standard for pipelines should be “zero accidents,” or as close to zero as possible, Hickenlooper said. When asked if he will advocate for stricter regulations regarding pipeline safety enforcement, he said he can’t promise specific reforms until he has facts about whether the system is fundamentally flawed or if this is an outlier. “I got to get the facts first and figure out: Is this something that is a poorly designed system that needs to be fixed, or is this once in a million?” Hickenlooper said. KSJD: Hickenlooper expresses concern for farmers and ranchers in ongoing drought Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper would like to see a new political party called the Agriculture First Party. That was one of the comments he made on a hot Thursday afternoon at an overlook to McPhee Reservoir. …Hickenlooper voiced concern for ag producers, saying, “We need a political party that is pro-farmer and pro-rancher.” He said no civilization has ever prospered if it could not feed its people. “Farmers should come first,” he said. “They should be our highest priority.” …Hickenlooper said the climate is clearly changing and farmers and ranchers need to be prioritized so they can grow the food people depend on. “We need to come together as Coloradans, not Republicans or Democrats, and fight for the federal funding – not to make it easier for big farms and big ranches to survive this decline in their revenues,” he said. “We want to invest money in infrastructure that will help us take the water we have and get more crops, more livestock.” …In an interview with KSJD and The Journal, Hickenlooper reiterated that ag producers need to be high on the list of priorities for the federal government. “We’ve got to really prioritize, with the limited resources we have, help for farmers and ranchers so they can grow the food and the livestock and the products we depend on,” Hickenlooper said. He spoke of some of the agricultural products Colorado is famous for, such as Palisade peaches and Rocky Ford cantaloupes. The Journal: Montezuma County leaders tell Hickenlooper of drought’s toll A meeting converged between local leaders and U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper where the discussion was on water, especially the severe shortage for the Dolores Project and all the ways that impact cascades to affect Montezuma County’s ecological health and economy. …Hickenlooper, pen and paper in hand, jotted notes while several leaders from different governmental agencies and advocacy groups provided their takes on drought impacts for the agricultural, environmental, recreational, municipal and forest sectors. …While post-fire debris flows led to the devastating kill, Unterreiner noted a tiny silver lining. He said in the unspoiled sandstone, canyon country, debris flows and drought have likely cleared away the invasive smallmouth bass. “That’s a pretty thin silver lining. Still, it’s a silver lining,” Hickenlooper said, who used to be a geologist. WATCH: CBS (Grand Junction, CO): Ouray Wildfire Management Visit ###",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/video-analysis-hickenlooper-calls-out-high-gas-prices-trump-corruption/,"Video & Analysis: Hickenlooper Calls Out High Gas Prices, Trump Corruption",2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"While the average Colorado family has paid $583 more in gas since the Iran War began, Trump has made up to $15.5 million from oil & gas stocks WASHINGTON – As President Trump’s war with Iran continues, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper highlighted how Coloradans are paying the price at the pump while President Trump continues profiting off the war. According to a new report by the Joint Economic Committee Minority, Coloradans have collectively spent $1.3 billion more on gas since the Iran war began, amounting to $583 more per family. Meanwhile, at the end of 2025, President Donald Trump held as much as $45.6 million in oil and gas stocks, a portfolio that is now worth up to $61.1 million. “It’s no wonder President Trump refuses to end the war in Iran. He has a vested interest in prolonging it. While the Colorado families are struggling to put gas in their tanks, the President is making money hand over fist over this prolonged, illegal war,” Hickenlooper said in a video statement. “We have to end this forever war, and start fighting the high prices that are crushing working families.” Watch Hickenlooper’s Full Video Here While Trump continues his war with Iran, Hickenlooper has been fighting to lower costs for Americans. Last month, he celebrated the committee passage of his bipartisan Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, which would create true transparency in healthcare pricing and is a first step towards universal healthcare. The bill will help lower healthcare prices through creating opportunities for consumers to compare prices, leading to competition among providers to lower costs. Hickenlooper helped champion the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to address the national affordable housing shortage by cutting red tape to build more homes, investing in programs to lower the cost of buying a house, and preventing corporations from dominating the housing market. In 2021, he worked with the Colorado delegation to deliver more than $3.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for the state, which included more than $500 million towards affordable housing investments and $300 million in emergency rental assistance for low-income households. Hickenlooper has spoken multiple times on the Senate floor condemning Trump for dragging America into a highly unpopular war that’s driving the cost-of-living through the roof. Hickenlooper has consistently voted to end Trump’s costly and deadly war. He’s called out skyrocketing gas prices and costly impacts on farmers’ bottom lines. Hickenlooper is concerned by the loss of life created by Trump’s war, including the deaths of U.S. service members abroad and the increasing civilian death toll. Hickenlooper has traveled across Colorado to hear from workers, ranchers, and farmers getting crushed by the increasing prices fueled by the war. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of healthcare. This spring, Hickenlooper met with truckers, construction and plumbing small businesses, labor unions, and rideshare drivers to discuss how the President’s tariffs and his reckless war in Iran – and the resulting spike in gas prices – is hurting transportation-dependent industries. He heard from a rideshare driver who was struggling to keep food on the table thanks to the increasing prices caused by the war. ###",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-questions-trumps-space-academy-announcement/,Hickenlooper Questions Trump’s Space Academy Announcement,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper: “Trump’s proposed plan is duplicative, costly, and unserious.” OURAY – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper raised questions about President Trump’s new plan to create a U.S. Space Academy. President Trump announced plans to establish the academy earlier today at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. “President Trump’s proposed plan is duplicative, costly, and unserious. Establishing a dedicated service academy for space may sound good on paper, but our nation already has an exceptional institution that trains tomorrow’s Space Force leaders: it’s called the U.S. Air Force Academy. To duplicate that effort at a time when our national deficit is soaring, is reckless and makes a dire situation even worse. Colorado Springs is already the epicenter of our national security and space efforts. This unnecessary proposal is yet another example of the president seeking to distract from his illegal war in Iran and the economic pain it has caused everyday Americans.” Hickenlooper has consistently fought to protect Colorado’s role as the backbone of the nation’s space defense architecture. He denounced the Trump administration’s irresponsible and wasteful decision to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama and joined a statement with the entire Colorado congressional delegation rebuking the relocation. ###",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/27/bennet-hickenlooper-lujan-demand-trump-administration-comply-with-injunction-to-ensure-prompt-approvals-of-wind-and-solar-energy-projects/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Luján Demand Trump Administration Comply with Injunction to Ensure Prompt Approvals of Wind and Solar Energy Projects",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee’s Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, led Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to demand that the Department of Interior (DOI) comply with a preliminary injunction to ensure covered wind and solar permitting reviews are conducted promptly without illegal bureaucratic roadblocks. In July 2025, the DOI released an order requiring Secretary Burgum’s personal approval for routine wind and solar energy project permitting decisions, which led to massive delays in power projects across the West. In November 2025, Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Luján sent a letter demanding answers to the DOI’s order and highlighting its harmful effects to energy prices and reliability, but never received a response. In April 2026, the U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction to prohibit the DOI and its officials from applying the July 2025 order and other internal DOI orders that make wind and solar permitting processes needlessly delayed and difficult while the court case proceeds. Since then, numerous wind and solar developers report that DOI personnel have illegally continued to force project applicants to repeatedly document and prove their eligibility for these court protections. “[…] Applicants also report that DOI staff have received little or no internal guidance regarding implementation of the Court’s injunction. These reports are not isolated or short-lived: developers continue to describe these delays more than three months after the injunction took effect, indicating an ongoing pattern of noncompliance rather than a transitional implementation issue. DOI’s actions are creating severe regulatory uncertainty, threatening to permanently sideline projects at a time when Western families, farmers, and businesses are facing rising energy demand and higher costs,” wrote the senators. “Western states depend on reliable and affordable energy to keep our grid secure and our economies competitive. Wind and solar are the least expensive and fastest-to-deploy sources of new electricity generation available. Dragging out permitting timelines in direct violation of a federal court order is not only illegal, but it also needlessly stalls private investment and drives up household energy costs. Furthermore, your recent testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, where you reportedly rejected the premise of the ruling and called it “absurd” for a judge to dictate internal processes, raises concerns. While DOI has the right to appeal, it is legally obligated to comply with the injunction. Moreover, impeding the deployment of the lowest-cost energy sources directly undermines the administration’s stated goals of unleashing American energy and ensuring affordability,” continued the senators. Bennet has continuously fought to protect funding for Colorado’s energy projects and condemn partisan project reversals under the Trump administration. In July 2026, Bennet joined Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding that Director Vought immediately rescind the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed power grab over federal grants and awards. In May 2026, Bennet joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Schumer, and 18 of their Senate colleagues to introduce legislation to protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests. In October 2025, Bennet issued a statement following the Trump administration’s targeted cancellation of billions of dollars in funding for energy projects across the country. That same week, Bennet led the Democratic Colorado Delegation in demanding answers from Secretary Wright on the Department of Energy’s abrupt cancellation of $7.56 billion in energy project funding, including over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated projects. Additionally, Bennet joined Murray, Heinrich, and 34 Senate colleagues in sending a letter demanding that Secretary Wright and Director Vought restore funding for all 223 energy projects in Democrat-led states that were unlawfully canceled. In November 2025, Bennet also demanded answers from Secretary Burgum on DOI’s recent order requiring Secretary Burgum’s personal approval for routine wind and solar energy project permitting decisions. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Burgum: We write to express serious concerns regarding reports of the Department of Interior’s (DOI) failure to fully comply with the U.S. District Court’s April 21, 2026 preliminary injunction in Renew Northeast v. U.S. Department of the Interior, No. 1:25-cv-13961 (D. Mass.). In November 2025, we sent you a letter with questions regarding one of the DOI memos addressed in the case, but never received a response. While this injunction took immediate effect and remains in force, reports from industry participants raise serious questions regarding whether DOI has fully complied with the Court’s injunction. As you know, the Court’s injunction explicitly prohibits DOI and its officials from applying the DOI Review Procedures Memorandum, the Wind and Solar Fish and Wildlife Service database Ban, Section 4 of the DOI Land Order, Section 4(c) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memorandum, and M-Opinion 37086. The Court clearly intended for the covered wind and solar permitting reviews to proceed to timely decisions without these needless bureaucratic roadblocks. Yet, wind and solar developers continue to report that DOI personnel are forcing covered project applicants to repeatedly document and prove their eligibility for these protections, despite the fact that plaintiffs previously provided DOI with a list of covered members. Applicants also report that DOI staff have received little or no internal guidance regarding implementation of the Court’s injunction. These reports are not isolated or short-lived: developers continue to describe these delays more than three months after the injunction took effect, indicating an ongoing pattern of noncompliance rather than a transitional implementation issue. DOI’s actions are creating severe regulatory uncertainty, threatening to permanently sideline projects at a time when Western families, farmers, and businesses are facing rising energy demand and higher costs. Western states depend on reliable and affordable energy to keep our grid secure and our economies competitive. Wind and solar are the least expensive and fastest-to-deploy sources of new electricity generation available. Dragging out permitting timelines in direct violation of a federal court order is not only illegal, but it also needlessly stalls private investment and drives up household energy costs. Furthermore, your recent testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, where you reportedly rejected the premise of the ruling and called it “absurd” for a judge to dictate internal processes, raises concerns. While DOI has the right to appeal, it is legally obligated to comply with the injunction. Moreover, impeding the deployment of the lowest-cost energy sources directly undermines the administration’s stated goals of unleashing American energy and ensuring affordability. To ensure compliance with the law and restore certainty to energy developers and Western stakeholders, we request answers to the following questions: Internal Guidance – What types of written internal guidance or implementation instructions regarding compliance with the Court’s injunction has DOI provided to staff? Please provide copies of any implementation memoranda, directives, guidance documents, training materials, emails, or other instructions on this topic. If no such materials exist, explain what alternative measures DOI has taken to ensure consistent compliance throughout DOI; Applicant Identification – What instructions has DOI provided staff for identifying plaintiffs and their members? Please provide communications to DOI staff and explain the steps that DOI is taking to minimize duplicative verification procedures. Permitting Progress – What steps has DOI taken since the Court injunction to ensure that covered permitting reviews are proceeding to timely agency action? Please identify, by bureau or office where practicable, the number of covered permitting reviews that have advanced since entry of the Court’s injunction, including consultations completed, biological opinions issued, permits or other authorizations issued or denied. Stalled Reviews – Which covered permitting reviews remain paused or materially delayed following entry of the Court’s injunction? Please provide a list and explain the specific reason for any such delay, including whether it is related to eligibility verification, lack of implementation guidance, application of one of the court-blocked policies, or some other basis. The lists from questions 3 and 4 should add up to the total number of permitting reviews under consideration by DOI between April 21 and now. We respectfully request a written response to these questions no later than September 1, 2026. We urge you to follow the law and comply with federal court orders to ensure that federal permitting supports, rather than undermines, an affordable and secure energy future. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-lujan-demand-trump-admin-follow-court-order-promptly-approve-renewable-energy-projects/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Lujàn Demand Trump Admin Follow Court Order, Promptly Approve Renewable Energy Projects",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, and Ben Ray Lujàn demanded that the Department of Interior (DOI) comply with a preliminary injunction to ensure covered wind and solar permitting reviews are conducted promptly without illegal bureaucratic roadblocks. In July 2025, the DOI released an order requiring Secretary Burgum’s personal approval for routine wind and solar energy project permitting decisions, which led to massive delays in power projects across the West. In November 2025, Hickenlooper, Bennet, and Luján sent a letter demanding answers to the DOI’s order and highlighting its harmful effects to energy prices and reliability. They never received a response. The U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction to prohibit the DOI and its officials from applying the July 2025 order and other internal DOI orders that make wind and solar permitting processes needlessly delayed and difficult while the court case proceeds. Since then, numerous wind and solar developers report that DOI personnel have illegally continued to force project applicants to repeatedly document and prove their eligibility for these court protections. “[…] Applicants also report that DOI staff have received little or no internal guidance regarding implementation of the Court’s injunction. These reports are not isolated or short-lived: developers continue to describe these delays more than three months after the injunction took effect, indicating an ongoing pattern of noncompliance rather than a transitional implementation issue. DOI’s actions are creating severe regulatory uncertainty, threatening to permanently sideline projects at a time when Western families, farmers, and businesses are facing rising energy demand and higher costs,” wrote the senators. “Western states depend on reliable and affordable energy to keep our grid secure and our economies competitive. Wind and solar are the least expensive and fastest-to-deploy sources of new electricity generation available. Dragging out permitting timelines in direct violation of a federal court order is not only illegal, but it also needlessly stalls private investment and drives up household energy costs. Furthermore, your recent testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, where you reportedly rejected the premise of the ruling and called it “absurd” for a judge to dictate internal processes, raises concerns. While DOI has the right to appeal, it is legally obligated to comply with the injunction. Moreover, impeding the deployment of the lowest-cost energy sources directly undermines the administration’s stated goals of unleashing American energy and ensuring affordability,” continued the senators. Hickenlooper has fought to protect funding for Colorado’s energy projects and condemn Trump’s partisan games. This month, Hickenlooper demanded that the Trump administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects cancelled in October 2025, including $600M for Colorado energy projects. The Trump administration subsequently admitted to illegally cancelling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. Hickenlooper also introduced the Scientific Integrity Act to protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Burgum: We write to express serious concerns regarding reports of the Department of Interior’s (DOI) failure to fully comply with the U.S. District Court’s April 21, 2026 preliminary injunction in Renew Northeast v. U.S. Department of the Interior, No. 1:25-cv-13961 (D. Mass.). In November 2025, we sent you a letter with questions regarding one of the DOI memos addressed in the case, but never received a response. While this injunction took immediate effect and remains in force, reports from industry participants raise serious questions regarding whether DOI has fully complied with the Court’s injunction. As you know, the Court’s injunction explicitly prohibits DOI and its officials from applying the DOI Review Procedures Memorandum, the Wind and Solar Fish and Wildlife Service database Ban, Section 4 of the DOI Land Order, Section 4(c) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memorandum, and M-Opinion 37086. The Court clearly intended for the covered wind and solar permitting reviews to proceed to timely decisions without these needless bureaucratic roadblocks. Yet, wind and solar developers continue to report that DOI personnel are forcing covered project applicants to repeatedly document and prove their eligibility for these protections, despite the fact that plaintiffs previously provided DOI with a list of covered members. Applicants also report that DOI staff have received little or no internal guidance regarding implementation of the Court’s injunction. These reports are not isolated or short-lived: developers continue to describe these delays more than three months after the injunction took effect, indicating an ongoing pattern of noncompliance rather than a transitional implementation issue. DOI’s actions are creating severe regulatory uncertainty, threatening to permanently sideline projects at a time when Western families, farmers, and businesses are facing rising energy demand and higher costs. Western states depend on reliable and affordable energy to keep our grid secure and our economies competitive. Wind and solar are the least expensive and fastest-to-deploy sources of new electricity generation available. Dragging out permitting timelines in direct violation of a federal court order is not only illegal, but it also needlessly stalls private investment and drives up household energy costs. Furthermore, your recent testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee, where you reportedly rejected the premise of the ruling and called it “absurd” for a judge to dictate internal processes, raises concerns. While DOI has the right to appeal, it is legally obligated to comply with the injunction. Moreover, impeding the deployment of the lowest-cost energy sources directly undermines the administration’s stated goals of unleashing American energy and ensuring affordability. To ensure compliance with the law and restore certainty to energy developers and Western stakeholders, we request answers to the following questions: Internal Guidance – What types of written internal guidance or implementation instructions regarding compliance with the Court’s injunction has DOI provided to staff? Please provide copies of any implementation memoranda, directives, guidance documents, training materials, emails, or other instructions on this topic. If no such materials exist, explain what alternative measures DOI has taken to ensure consistent compliance throughout DOI; Applicant Identification – What instructions has DOI provided staff for identifying plaintiffs and their members? Please provide communications to DOI staff and explain the steps that DOI is taking to minimize duplicative verification procedures. Permitting Progress – What steps has DOI taken since the Court injunction to ensure that covered permitting reviews are proceeding to timely agency action? Please identify, by bureau or office where practicable, the number of covered permitting reviews that have advanced since entry of the Court’s injunction, including consultations completed, biological opinions issued, permits or other authorizations issued or denied. Stalled Reviews – Which covered permitting reviews remain paused or materially delayed following entry of the Court’s injunction? Please provide a list and explain the specific reason for any such delay, including whether it is related to eligibility verification, lack of implementation guidance, application of one of the court-blocked policies, or some other basis. The lists from questions 3 and 4 should add up to the total number of permitting reviews under consideration by DOI between April 21 and now. We respectfully request a written response to these questions no later than September 1, 2026. We urge you to follow the law and comply with federal court orders to ensure that federal permitting supports, rather than undermines, an affordable and secure energy future. ###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/26/bennet-hickenlooper-colleagues-demand-answers-from-trump-administration-about-ice-conduct-tsa-cooperation-at-dia-other-airports/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Administration About ICE Conduct, TSA Cooperation at DIA & Other Airports",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver— Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen and six of their Senate colleagues to demand answers from the Trump administration about recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in airports. This inquiry comes after a string of incidents nationwide, in which ICE agents – with apparent cooperation from TSA – have targeted people at airports, including at Denver International Airport. “We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent immigration enforcement actions at airports across the nation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the apparent assistance and support of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Such actions create fear in our communities and cause disruption and distress to the traveling public,” wrote the senators. “Unfortunately, recent reporting by the New York Times indicates that troubling events like these are occurring frequently across the nation at America’s airports. Such actions have only served to disrupt local communities, create fear among immigrant families, and undermine the travel and tourism sector by actively discouraging travelers from visiting the United States. They hurt our nation’s travel and tourism industry at a time when it is trying to rebound from a 5.5% decline in international tourism in 2025 that occurred due to President Trump’s misguided tariff, immigration, and foreign policies,” continued the senators. Bennet has consistently fought against the Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies. This month, Bennet and Congressman Jason Crow (D-Colo.) led all Democrats in the Colorado Congressional delegation to call on the GEO Group to comply with public health orders issued by the Adams County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment related to an active tuberculosis case at the ICE detention facility in Aurora. Bennet and his staff have joined Crow and his congressional office in conducting consistent oversight visits to the Aurora detention facility throughout the current administration. In their most recent visit on August 14th, staff at the facility said there were no active cases of tuberculosis. This month, Bennet also joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) to introduce the Protect American Values Act, legislation that would prevent federal funds from being used to implement, administer, enforce, or otherwise carry out the Trump administration’s finalized “public charge” rule. In July 2026, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 37 of their Senate colleagues in calling for stronger accountability measures for ICE officers. In May 2026, Bennet introduced three bills aimed at reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including ICE and Customs and Border Protection: the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act; the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act; and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act. In March 2026, Bennet issued a statement when Trump fired former Secretary Noem, and emphasized that DHS must undergo a complete overhaul. In January 2026, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’ long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Mullin, Administrator Cummins, and Acting Director Venturella: We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent immigration enforcement actions at airports across the nation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the apparent assistance and support of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Such actions create fear in our communities and cause disruption and distress to the traveling public. It is further alarming to read recent reports that ICE and TSA have a formal agreement to share passenger information with each other, which could be used in immigration enforcement at airports. We therefore request that you provide Congress and the American people details about any information sharing agreements that are in place between ICE and TSA and ask the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, ICE and TSA, to let us know what concrete steps you are taking to ensure all immigration enforcement agents conducting operations at airports operate solely based on active judicial warrants, wear and utilize body cameras, wear and display clear identifying information, and refrain from wearing masks, which shield ICE from accountability for abuses and instill fear in travelers. Just a few weeks ago, masked and plain-clothed ICE officers attempted to violently arrest an elderly man at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS), without any identification, before running off following public intervention. Even more recently, ICE arrested a pregnant woman at the same airport, separating her from her fiancé. News reports indicate similar enforcement operations are taking place at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Denver International Airport (DEN), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as well. Additionally, the recent detention of several Marylanders, including a medical researcher and former Fulbright scholar and a pharmacy professor, both asylum-seekers traveling domestically with lawful documentation, raises serious concerns that ICE’s expanded presence at airports is subjecting law-abiding individuals to detention. Unfortunately, recent reporting by the New York Times indicates that troubling events like these are occurring frequently across the nation at America’s airports. Such actions have only served to disrupt local communities, create fear among immigrant families, and undermine the travel and tourism sector by actively discouraging travelers from visiting the United States. They hurt our nation’s travel and tourism industry at a time when it is trying to rebound from a 5.5% decline in international tourism in 2025 that occurred due to President Trump’s misguided tariff, immigration, and foreign policies. Additionally, these actions are increasingly targeting individuals who have expired visas, even though many such individuals often have a legitimate pending application for a visa extension or renewal with USCIS. With a backlog of nearly 12 million visa applications at USCIS, visa processing delays are impacting the ability for USCIS to process a variety of visas, employment authorization documents (EAD) applications, and renewals in a timely manner, meaning that a person can have an expired visa with a legitimate pending application yet still be detained by ICE at an airport due to visa processing delays that are out of their control. News reports also indicate that according to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, ICE and TSA have a formal framework to coordinate the sharing, storage, and management of passengers’ sensitive information. This is particularly concerning because Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill claimed during congressional testimony she gave in January 2026 that TSA does not send information to ICE; however, the MOA appears to directly contradict that statement. Of similar concern, when just last month then TSA Administrator nominee David Cummins was asked about the conduct of ICE agents at America’s airports in questions for his nomination hearing, he did not even attempt to answer how he would or would not work with ICE if confirmed to the role. With all this in mind, we request your response to several questions regarding the operating relationship between ICE and TSA and the type of information that is being shared between the agencies. We look forward to a prompt response to this inquiry. Is there an official process in place to ensure that local airports are aware of an impending immigration enforcement operation? Does the information-sharing agreement between ICE and TSA require ICE to provide proof that the individuals they are requesting information about have active warrants for their arrest? Does this information-sharing agreement distinguish between judicial and administrative warrants, and is such a warrant a requirement for TSA to cooperate with ICE in enforcement actions at airports? If this information is sensitive, then we ask for a member or staff level briefing to receive this information in a classified or secure setting. According to the MOA, TSA shares data with ICE that ICE then stores in its own repository. What specific data is shared between the two agencies? What criteria is being used, either with or without this data, to determine when to conduct an immigration enforcement operation at an airport? Reporting indicates TSA shared information on more than 31,000 travelers, leading to more than 800 immigration-related arrests. Please provide a breakdown of what information caused the 800 individuals to be arrested, and how many people were detained for an expired visa that had an application pending with USCIS, including information on how many of these arrests led to a deportation? Additionally, if a warrant was issued for those arrested, please also provide a breakdown of how many arrests were based on ICE having a judicial versus administrative warrant. What safeguards are in place to protect passenger privacy and ensure that the individuals being targeted in enforcement operations at airports are dangerous or violent criminals and not merely immigrants who have followed the law and have had a temporary lapse in status solely due to USCIS processing delays? Does TSA have any policy regarding how law enforcement agencies such as ICE are to identify themselves when they are in an airport or when they are attempting to take an enforcement action in an airport? Do DHS, ICE, or TSA factor in the impact on domestic and international travel that enforcement operations could have when planning their execution? Have DHS, ICE, TSA, or any other agency or official in this administration been in contact with travel and tourism industry leaders and experts to ensure that such actions do not negatively harm our travel and tourism industry? We look forward to your prompt response to these questions. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-grindr-ceo-george-arison-pen-op-ed-in-the-hill-on-expanding-access-to-ivf-fertility-care-for-american-families/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper, Grindr CEO George Arison Pen Op-Ed in The Hill on Expanding Access to IVF, Fertility Care for American Families",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper, Arison: “Every parent who dreams of raising a child should have a fair opportunity to pursue that dream.” In case you missed it: U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and Grindr CEO George Arison penned an op-ed in The Hill urging federal action to modernize and protect access to family planning services and fertility care like in vitro fertilization (IVF). “Today’s system is too often defined by staggering costs, outdated policies, and unnecessary legal uncertainty. Families and same-sex couples spend years navigating barriers that have little to do with medicine and everything to do with bureaucracy or politics. That should change,” wrote Hickenlooper and Arison. Hickenlooper and Arison continued: “Our paths were different, but they led to the same realization: You are not free if you don’t have the freedom to decide when and how to have a family.” Hickenlooper and his wife Robin welcomed their son Jack, born through IVF, in December 2022. Hickenlooper is a cosponsor of the Protect IVF Act to establish nationwide access to IVF and prevent state-level efforts to block access to IVF treatment. Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor in 2024 about his family’s experience with IVF and in support of the Right to IVF Act, a legislative package which would establish a right to IVF services nationwide and help make IVF treatment more affordable for Americans hoping to start a family. “If we are serious about strengthening families, growing our economy, and investing in the next generation, we should be making it easier for Americans to become parents. This is not a Democratic issue or Republican issue. It’s an American one,” wrote Hickenlooper and Arison. “Fortunately, the solutions don’t require reinventing the system. They require modernizing it.” Read the full op-ed in The Hill HERE. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-democratic-colleagues-call-on-netanyahu-to-crack-down-on-settler-violence-in-west-bank/,"Hickenlooper, Democratic Colleagues Call on Netanyahu to Crack Down on Settler Violence in West Bank",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Settler violence has already surpassed 2025 levels WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, along with 45 of his Democratic colleagues, called on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce violence in the West Bank and prevent further incidents amidst a significant increase in harassment, threats, and acts of violence in recent weeks. The senators also called on the government of Israel to complete investigations into the deaths of nine American citizens who have been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank in recent years. “We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” wrote the senators. Hickenlooper has consistently raised his concerns about the uptick in settler violence and the dire economic situation for Palestinians in the West Bank. Hickenlooper has repeatedly advocated for sustained access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, including food, water, and life-saving medical supplies, the delivery of lifesaving fuel to hospitals and water treatment facilities, and funding to meet the United Nations’ $294 million emergency appeal. Hickenlooper has repeatedly called for a humanitarian pause in Gaza as well as a mutual ceasefire and the release of all Hamas-held hostages. Full text of the letter available HERE and below. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, We write in shared concern and opposition to the growing levels of violence in the West Bank. Many of us have previously expressed to President Trump that continued settlement expansion and fighting in the West Bank will harm Israel’s long-term security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Incidents of fatal violence by settlers have reportedly already surpassed 2025 levels and continue to increase. The last few weeks alone saw a significant surge in violence on both sides, resulting in a large-scale response by Israeli security forces, mass arrests of Palestinians, and reported attacks by settlers on mosques. We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people. We write particularly on behalf of American citizens who have been killed or threatened in such violence. Many of us have heard first-hand from their families and other constituents who have themselves been threatened without cause by settlers. We have engaged the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and your embassy in Washington to ensure their protection and appreciate measures taken on their behalf, but a more significant response from your government is clearly needed. We ask for your personal and direct engagement and intervention in order to protect our constituents and their families. President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio have expressed their opposition to all violence in the West Bank and actions aimed at annexation, but those concerns have gone unaddressed. Now, we urge you to take the following actions: Issue clear directives to the Israeli Police and Israeli Defense Forces to prevent and intervene in harassment, threats, and actual use of violence, regardless of the perpetrators. Ensure that all those responsible for harassment, threats, and violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, are held accountable through a transparent and credible process. This includes completing investigations into and ensuring accountability for the deaths of nine American citizens who have been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank since 2022. Stop approving additional settlements and stop allowing the construction of, and take steps to remove, illegal outposts in the West Bank. Like you, the safety and security of our constituents is of paramount importance. We urge your government to ensure that Americans in the Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank are able to enjoy the security and protection of property to which they are entitled. We also hope to see the conditions improved so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live in peace with each other without the fear of terrorism or lawless violence. ###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-op-ed-trumps-agenda-is-punishing-colorado/,ICYMI: Hickenlooper Op-Ed: Trump’s Agenda Is Punishing Colorado,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper has called for an investigation into the Administration’s targeting of CO WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper penned an op-ed in The Denver Post highlighting how President Trump’s agenda is punishing Colorado. The piece comes after an email revealed that officials at the highest levels of the White House were directed to orchestrate a political retribution campaign against Colorado. Hickenlooper has called for an investigation into the administration’s targeting of Colorado, arguing that we need a complete understanding of how federal resources were manipulated to punish innocent Coloradans. “Government resources belong to the American people. They are not weapons to wield against the president’s enemies,” Hickenlooper wrote. “Coloradans shouldn’t pay the price for the petty grievances and failed policies that make their lives harder. We need to continue holding this administration accountable, fighting back against the president’s attacks on Colorado, and lowering costs for working families.” Read the op-ed in full here or below: Since my first day in office, Trump’s agenda has been to punish Colorado (Opinion) Hickenlooper called for an investigation into the administration’s targeting of our state In January 2021, President Donald Trump was fuming. Staggered by his election defeat, he spent the dwindling days of his first term hellbent on rewriting the results and settling scores with his political adversaries. My first full day at work as a United States Senator was January 6th. A few days later, we unexpectedly learned that after a secretive Oval Office meeting, Trump had decided to move U.S. Space Command from its historical headquarters in Republican-leaning Colorado Springs to Alabama. That was just the beginning. In the years that followed, President Trump’s anger toward Colorado only grew. After the Colorado Supreme Court determined in 2023 that he had engaged in insurrection and was therefore disqualified from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, he lashed out at the ruling. Then, after former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was rightfully convicted by a jury of her peers for undermining Colorado’s free and fair election system, President Trump embraced her. To most Coloradans, Peters was and is a disgrace. To Trump, she was a martyr. Upon taking office again, President Trump reversed the Biden administration’s permanent basing decision, ordering the fully operational Space Command to relocate to Alabama, threatening thousands of jobs and our military readiness. His administration denied disaster assistance to Colorado communities rebuilding from wildfires and floods. He even vetoed bipartisan legislation to bring clean drinking water to 39 southeastern Colorado communities. His administration has also moved to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, and canceled more than $100 million in transportation grants and hundreds of millions in clean energy investments. They froze funding for child care, food assistance, and other services for vulnerable families. The EPA overrode Colorado’s regional haze plan, undermining years of state-led work to reduce pollution. The list goes on and on. We now know that these relentless attacks weren’t merely coincidence. Last week, an email disclosed in court revealed that officials at the highest levels of the White House were directed to orchestrate political retribution against Coloradans. I’ve called for an investigation into the administration’s targeting of our state. Our country needs to fully understand how federal resources were manipulated to punish innocent Coloradans, both Republicans and Democrats. Government resources belong to the American people. They are not weapons to wield against the president’s enemies. Coloradans are already struggling with the cost of groceries, housing, health care, and other essentials. All across Colorado, families, farmers, and small business owners are struggling to stay afloat. But instead of lowering prices, President Trump and his allies are misusing federal power and putting political priorities ahead of the public interest. We’re fighting back. When President Trump proposed a Department of Justice fund to compensate election criminals like Tina Peters and those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, we led the opposition against it. When Republicans proposed selling up to three million acres of public lands across Colorado and ten other Western states to the highest bidder, we rallied lawmakers from across the aisle to defeat it. When critical weather and climate science was under attack, we held up an appropriations package for weeks over efforts to close NCAR and worked with Democrats and Republicans to protect the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) access to critical weather data. There’s no shortage of pressing problems to fix: the cost-of-living emergency, runaway healthcare costs, and mass deportations that are inflicting terror. These challenges require pragmatic solutions, not grinding political axes. The White House’s continued fixation on the 2020 election, Tina Peters, and indeed the state of Colorado, isn’t getting us any closer to addressing them. Coloradans shouldn’t pay the price for the petty grievances and failed policies that make their lives harder. We need to continue holding this administration accountable, fighting back against the president’s attacks on Colorado, and lowering costs for working families. John Hickenlooper is a U.S. Senator representing Colorado. ###",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/24/bennet-leads-entire-colorado-congressional-delegation-in-support-of-presidential-major-disaster-declaration-request-for-colorado-wildfires/,Bennet Leads Entire Colorado Congressional Delegation in Support of Presidential Major Disaster Declaration Request for Colorado Wildfires,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Representative Jeff Hurd, led the entire Colorado Congressional delegation – Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, and Gabe Evans – in a letter to President Trump expressing strong support for Governor Jared Polis’ request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Pueblo, Custer, and Ouray Counties in Colorado. This request comes in response to more than $18 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency validated damages from Colorado’s Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires. In June, Colorado experienced two large, destructive fires within 48 hours, the Aspen Acres Fire and Gold Mountain Fire, due to prime wildfire conditions including high winds, extreme heat, and prolonged drought. These fires burned over 140,000 acres collectively across Pueblo, Custer, and Ouray Counties and destroyed hundreds of homes and structures and energy and water infrastructure. The burn scars left by these fires also contributed to significant post-fire flooding and debris flows that led to one fatality in Beulah, Colorado. Summer is peak tourism season for Colorado, and the fires and subsequent flooding caused major disruptions to transportation, lodging, recreation, hospitality, outfitter, and guide businesses. They also damaged the operations of agricultural producers who lost livestock, fencing, and grazing lands. Several rural communities were also affected by road closures, which made accessing work, school, healthcare, or essential services extremely difficult. State and federal emergency response officials state that they expect disruptions to continue through the remainder of the summer season. “Successful recovery is essential to restoring the counties’ economies, which depend on clean drinking water, tourism, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and hunting and fishing. Without additional support, residents could face potentially insurmountable barriers to rebuilding homes and businesses, increased drinking water and electric utility costs, and the loss of important habitat and grazing lands. In addition, these communities face ongoing hazards from the post-fire burn scars, including debris, burned trees, and threats to water quality and drinking water infrastructure,” wrote the lawmakers. “[…] a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration unlocks federal assistance programs, including Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, that are indispensable to recovery, mitigation, and long-term resilience. These communities urgently need federal relief to rebuild. We thank you in advance for your expedited review and approval of the Governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration,” concluded the lawmakers. Bennet has actively fought against President Trump’s decision to deny Major Disaster Declarations for the Lee and Elk Fires in August 2025 and Southwest Colorado flooding in October 2025. This month, Bennet called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to launch immediate investigations into the Trump administration’s use of federal agencies, grants, and personnel to carry out the President’s political vendetta against Colorado, including the denial of federal disaster funding for the Lee and Elk Fires and Southwest Colorado flooding. In January 2026, Bennet led the full Colorado Congressional delegation in support of Governor Jared Polis’ appeal to Trump’s decision to deny Major Disaster Declarations for the Lee and Elk Fires as well as Southwest Colorado flooding. As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, Bennet has made wildfire resilience, forest health, and watershed protection a central focus of his work for Colorado. This month, he led Senators Hickenlooper, Mike Lee, and John Curtis to introduce a bipartisan resolution honoring this season’s wildfire casualties and all those who serve on the front lines of wildland firefighting efforts in the United States. Bennet and Hickenlooper also introduced the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act to mitigate the growing mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado. In February 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Protect the West Act to make a $60 billion investment in forest health and watershed restoration. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Mr. President: We strongly support Governor Jared Polis’ request on August 23, 2026, for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration with Public and Individual Assistance for Custer and Pueblo Counties, Colorado, in response to the Aspen Acres Fire and Public Assistance for Ouray County in response to the Gold Mountain Fire. Both fires burned during June, July, and August 2026. As part of this request, Governor Polis has also requested the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program for the affected counties. In June 2026, extreme heat, prolonged drought, and high winds up to 100 miles per hour contributed to two mega fires in Colorado within 48 hours. The Gold Mountain Fire burned approximately 40,000 acres in Ouray County, Colorado, and the Aspen Acres Fire burned over 102,000 acres across Custer County and Pueblo County, Colorado. Together, these fires destroyed drinking water and electric utility infrastructure, and over 800 structures and 324 homes. The burn scars from both fires contributed to significant post-fire flooding and debris flows that destroyed additional homes, buildings, and electric, water, and transportation infrastructure. On August 16, a significant rain event resulted in one fatality in Beulah, Colorado. Both fires occurred immediately before the Fourth of July during the summer’s peak tourism season, disrupting lodging, recreation, hospitality, outfitter, and guide businesses. Repeated fire, flood, and debris flow closures have limited visitation and disrupted tourism along the U.S. 550 corridor in Ouray and San Juan Counties, and in Beulah, Rye, and Westcliffe, Colorado. State and federal emergency response officials expect these disruptions to continue through the remainder of the summer season, with flood warnings and business closures continuing to cause cancellations while agricultural producers lose livestock, fencing, and grazing lands. In already isolated rural communities, the ongoing road closures are limiting access to work, schools, pharmacies, medical care, and other essential services. Governor Polis has requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Aspen Acres Fire and Gold Mountain Fire. With over $17 million in validated damages, and with significant gaps in private insurance coverage, the Aspen Acres Fire meets the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s threshold for both Public and Individual Assistance. Losses incurred due to the Gold Mountain Fire meet FEMA’s threshold for Public Assistance. Successful recovery is essential to restoring the counties’ economies, which depend on clean drinking water, tourism, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and hunting and fishing. Without additional support, residents could face potentially insurmountable barriers to rebuilding homes and businesses, increased drinking water and electric utility costs, and the loss of important habitat and grazing lands. In addition, these communities face ongoing hazards from the post-fire burn scars, including debris, burned trees, and threats to water quality and drinking water infrastructure. As you are aware, a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration unlocks federal assistance programs, including Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, that are indispensable to recovery, mitigation, and long-term resilience. These communities urgently need federal relief to rebuild. We thank you in advance for your expedited review and approval of the Governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. ###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-colleagues-demand-answers-from-trump-admin-about-ice-conduct-tsa-cooperation-at-dia-other-airports/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Admin About ICE Conduct, TSA Cooperation at DIA & Other Airports",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen and six of their Senate colleagues to demand answers from the Trump administration about recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in airports. This inquiry comes after a string of incidents nationwide, in which ICE agents – with apparent cooperation from TSA – have targeted people at airports, including at Denver International Airport. “We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent immigration enforcement actions at airports across the nation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the apparent assistance and support of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Such actions create fear in our communities and cause disruption and distress to the traveling public,” wrote the senators. The senators continued: “Unfortunately, recent reporting by the New York Times indicates that troubling events like these are occurring frequently across the nation at America’s airports. Such actions have only served to disrupt local communities, create fear among immigrant families, and undermine the travel and tourism sector by actively discouraging travelers from visiting the United States. They hurt our nation’s travel and tourism industry at a time when it is trying to rebound from a 5.5% decline in international tourism in 2025 that occurred due to President Trump’s misguided tariff, immigration, and foreign policies.” For the full text of the letter, click HERE. Earlier this week, Hickenlooper visited the ICE detention center in Aurora where he criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and lack of transparency surrounding reported tuberculosis cases at the facility. Hickenlooper has been outspoken in the face of ICE’s lawlessness and demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of the agency to stop ICE from terrorizing our communities. Hickenlooper also voted against the DHS funding bill because it failed to overhaul ICE. He has consistently pushed for more oversight and transparency for federal immigration enforcement efforts, and has worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE. In January, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the horrifying killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, condemn the reports that families in Eagle County found “death cards” left in the cars of family members taken by ICE agents, and to demand the overhaul of ICE. He’s shown up at ICE facilities previously to conduct congressional oversight visits and raise concerns about ICE disregarding due process. He helped launch an investigation into ICE’s unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight and introduced bills to ban ICE from wearing masks, prevent immigration enforcement from targeting schools, hospitals, polling locations, and places of worship, and cut back the excessive funding that MAGA Republicans gave them. Following the shooting at the Aurora ICE facility by a GEO Group employee, Hickenlooper condemned the shooting and called for a thorough review of DHS policies to help prevent similar incidents. ###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-statement-on-doi-plan-for-colorado-river-operations/,Hickenlooper Statement on DOI Plan for Colorado River Operations,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s new 2027-2028 plan for Colorado River operations: “Coloradans know how important it is to responsibly manage the Colorado River, especially in a year as painfully dry as this one. While today’s announcement provides a short-term framework, long-term action to protect this increasingly strained resource from prolonged drought and the effects of climate change is critical both for Colorado and the entire Basin.” Hickenlooper has consistently advocated for a seven-state agreement for the post-2026 negotiations. In the Senate, Hickenlooper convened the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus to help address the Colorado River crisis. He has also introduced legislation to improve ways that we measure snowmelt, support water conservation projects, and hire more water project navigators to help states, Tribes, and rural communities secure resources for projects that improve water efficiency. Hickenlooper also helped secure millions in funding for water conservation projects in the West from both the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As governor, Hickenlooper helped negotiate the 2019 Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, which helped protect critical levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead and ensured continued compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. ###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/icymi-hickenlooper-visits-mountain-communities-talks-immigration-drought-wildfire-economy-healthcare-and-more/,"ICYMI: Hickenlooper Visits Mountain Communities, Talks Immigration, Drought, Wildfire, Economy, Healthcare, and More",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Senator John Hickenlooper hit the road this week, conducting an oversight visit at the Aurora ICE Detention Facility before heading into the mountains to visit Golden, Blackhawk, Georgetown, Frisco, Beaver Creek, Edwards, and Eagle. On Monday, Hickenlooper conducted another oversight visit to ICE and GEO’s Aurora Detention Facility, where there are reports of a dozen cases of the highly-contagious disease, Tuberculosis. During the visit, he demanded more cooperation from GEO with local and state public health officials. Watch Senator Hickenlooper discuss his visit and the cost of Trump’s immigration agenda On Tuesday morning, he visited the Jefferson County Emergency Operations Headquarters in Golden. He toured the command center, which he secured millions in federal funding to help build, and hosted a discussion with emergency, wildfire, and U.S. Forest Service officials about wildfire mitigation. The group also discussed how innovative Colorado emergency service officials are in the face of a historic drought and devastating wildfire season as well as what resources they need moving forward. The Senator then travelled to Blackhawk’s Timberline Fire Station #3 to tour the newly expanded and renovated station, which Hickenlooper helped secure $900,000 for through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). In a roundtable discussion with firefighters, local elected officials, and residents, he received an update on economic development challenges and successes in Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties. Hickenlooper then attended a Clear Creek and Gilpin Joint Board of County Commissioners meeting in Georgetown. The group discussed cuts to human services and other funding priorities for the two mountain counties. Tuesday afternoon, Hickenlooper visited with Mountain Dreamers in Frisco to talk about the impacts of Trump’s cruel immigration agenda on our communities. He heard stories about the terror families and businesses felt during ICE raids and about the death of a Summit County resident in ICE detention. Hickenlooper heard about the impact on small businesses; employees taken away, employees scared to come to work, businesses shuttering out of fear. On Wednesday, Hickenlooper began the day sitting down with outdoor recreation leaders and local elected officials in Beaver Creek to talk about how climate change is driving drought and impacting the outdoor recreation economy in Colorado. Attendees detailed the downturn outdoor recreation in Colorado experienced this past year due to record-low snowpack, wildfires, and persistent drought. Hickenlooper then went to Edwards to tour Vail Health’s Edwards Community Health Campus and Precourt Healing Center, which received $2.8 million in CDS funding that Hickenlooper helped secure. After the tour, he sat down with Vail Health and regional healthcare leaders to discuss healthcare access. They discussed how the community is reeling in the face of the more than a trillion dollar cuts to our healthcare system from MAGA’s One Big Ugly Betrayal Act. In Eagle, Hickenlooper sat down with Latino small business leaders from across Colorado to talk about the cost-of-living emergency caused by Trump’s reckless tariffs, illegal war with Iran, and healthcare cuts. Members of the roundtable highlighted workforce shortages as well as the disruption and fear caused by Trump’s immigration agenda. Hickenlooper came back down to Denver Thursday to tour the new United Flight Training Center in Denver, followed by a look at the expanded 700,000-square-foot campus. As governor, Hickenlooper ushered in United’s $40 million investment in Colorado, with Denver serving as one of the airline’s major hubs for travel and pilot training. Check out what they’re saying: CPR: Public health investigation into tuberculosis at Aurora detention center at standstill as deadline looms …Sen. John Hickenlooper, who visited the facility Monday morning, said he got no new information from anyone. “We got to spend about 40 minutes talking to ICE officials and GEO employees, and really the answers they gave were: they can’t give us any information on the advice of counsel,” Hickenlooper said. “They’ve been discouraged both by lawyers for the CDC, which is inexplicable, but also by the GEO lawyers,” he told reporters, after a roughly hour and a half tour. …“They won’t tell us how many people have been released in the community, where the follow-up testing, how that’s being organized. You cannot do an investigation like this in a vacuum,” Hickenlooper said. Denver Post: Operators of Aurora immigration detention center ignore state health order, setting stage for potential court battle …U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper visited the Aurora facility Monday and told reporters that Geo staff declined to discuss the tuberculosis situation on advice of their lawyers. He said they also would not indicate whether they intended to comply with the state health order. “You cannot do an investigation like this in a vacuum,” Hickenlooper said from the sidewalk outside of the facility. “…I’m shocked. I’ve never in my life seen a time where a direct order from the public health authority or a direct order from the state office of public health is ignored.” Colorado Sun: Hickenlooper denied answers on tuberculosis during visit to Aurora immigrant detention center …U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper on Monday walked into the immigrant detention facility in Aurora with questions about the possible spread of tuberculosis within the facility. He walked out without answers. Hickenlooper said whenever he asked a tuberculosis-related question — Who had been tested? What type of investigation had been conducted? Where are people who were exposed to the disease located now? — he was stonewalled. “The answers they gave were, ‘We’re not going to release any information on the advice of counsel,’” Hickenlooper said, standing outside the facility following his visit. …“I’ve never in my life seen a time where a direct order from the county public health authority or a direct order from the state office of public health is ignored,” Hickenlooper said. “That they say, ‘No, we’re not required to do that and the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is going to be OK with that.’” Clear Creek Courant: Hickenlooper meets with Gilpin, Clear Creek county leaders Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo. arrived at the Timberline Fire Station #3 in Gilpin County with a small entourage of staff to listen and answer questions and hear concerns from city and county officials. …Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon told the Courant he couldn’t agree more, and the bipartisan support Hickenlooper has commanded on the federal level is commendable because, “Fire is blind.” “He (Hickenlooper) knows wildfire doesn’t care what your political stripe is,” Harmon said. “You’re just as likely to be a victim of a fire whether you’re a republican or a democrat,” Harmon continued. …A Path Forward According to Congressional reports, senators Hickenlooper (D-CO) and John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Fix Our Forests Act. The bipartisan legislation, according to congressional reports, is intended to address and effect “Catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive.” LISTEN: CPR (Denver, CO): ICE Aurora Detention Facility Oversight Visit KOA (Denver, CO): Jefferson County Emergency Operations Visit KRDO (Colorado Springs, CO): Jefferson County Emergency Operations Visit WATCH: NBC (Colorado Springs, CO): United FTC Visit FOX (Denver, CO): United FTC Visit FOX (Colorado Springs, CO): ICE Aurora Detention Facility Oversight Visit ###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/20/bennet-crow-lead-colorado-democrats-calling-on-geo-to-comply-with-public-health-orders/,"Bennet, Crow Lead Colorado Democrats Calling on GEO to Comply with Public Health Orders",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Congressman Jason Crow (D-Colo.) led all Democrats in the Colorado Congressional delegation to call on the GEO Group to comply with public health orders issued by the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) related to an active tuberculosis case at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora. GEO failed to comply with CDPHE’s August 17 deadline, asking them to hand over information related to a tuberculosis case confirmed at the facility in June. GEO has also failed to comply with the Adams County order that was issued on June 25, raising concerns that state and local public health officials have been unable to investigate potential exposures and ensure the health and well-being of Coloradans. In their letter, the lawmakers express concern that the GEO Group is “refusing to cooperate” with ACHD and CDPHE, preventing officials from independently verifying “that everyone potentially exposed [to tuberculosis] was appropriately identified, tested, evaluated, and connected with necessary treatment or follow-up.” “Public health officials need full transparency–not summary statements–to investigate because this threatens the safety of detained individuals, facility staff, and our surrounding community. We demand the GEO Group comply with the PHOs issued by ACHD and CDPHE and encourage the resumption of cooperation with state and local officials so experts can address any public health risk at the facility in a timely manner. It is only by acting in concert, through rigorous and continuous oversight at the federal, state, and local level, that we can protect the health and well-being of detainees, facility personnel, and the broader community,” wrote the lawmakers. Bennet and his staff have joined Crow and his congressional office in conducting consistent oversight visits to the Aurora detention facility throughout the current administration. In their most recent visit on August 14th, staff at the facility said there were no active cases of tuberculosis. Earlier this month, Bennet joined colleagues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers following last month’s shooting by a GEO Group employee near the ICE detention facility in Aurora that left one person injured. In May, Bennet introduced four bills aimed at reforming DHS, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP): the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act; the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act; and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act. He also joined his colleagues to introduce the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act to protect children affected by immigration enforcement actions or proceedings against their parents. In January, Bennet joined his colleague to introduce the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results (PUBLIC SAFETY) Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republican budget bill from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country. In November 2025, he joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’ long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear George C. Zoley: We write to express profound concern with the lack of transparency in response to public health and safety issues at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado, operated by the GEO Group. Through consistent oversight visits and good-faith engagement with local facility personnel, our offices have worked to address prior public health and safety concerns at this facility. However, mounting bureaucratic hurdles threaten our ability to conduct oversight. At the same time, the GEO Group is refusing to cooperate with the State of Colorado and Adams County, despite a long-standing history of cooperation between the facility and Colorado public health officials. Most recently, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Adams County Health Department (ACHD), and Denver Health have attempted to respond to a confirmed active tuberculosis case involving an individual at the facility after receiving a positive lab result on June 21, 2026. Despite repeated requests for additional information, state and local public health officials have been unable to independently verify that everyone potentially exposed was appropriately identified, tested, evaluated, and connected with necessary treatment or follow-up. On June 25, 2026, ACHD issued a Public Health Order (PHO) to conduct a disease control investigation in response to the confirmed tuberculosis case. The PHO, in part, relies on longstanding state and local authority to “use every available means to investigate immediately and ascertain the existence of all reported or suspected cases of active tuberculosis.” On August 13, 2026, CDPHE issued a PHO to direct the GEO Group to provide information to CDPHE and the Denver Health Tuberculosis Clinic needed for a public health investigation. The deadline to submit information outlined in that order has now passed and the GEO Group declined to comply. The refusal to cooperate fully with requests from ACHD, CDPHE, and Denver Health belies a history of cooperation in which the facility’s medical team has previously met regularly with ACHD and Denver Health to share relevant epidemiological and medical information, and to coordinate access when needed, in order to investigate specific public health issues. This constructive cooperation is essential to ensuring the health and well-being of individuals held in detention at this facility. Public health officials need full transparency – not summary statements – to investigate because this threatens the safety of detained individuals, facility staff, and our surrounding community. We demand the GEO Group comply with the PHOs issued by ACHD and CDPHE and encourage the resumption of cooperation with state and local officials so experts can address any public health risk at the facility in a timely manner. It is only by acting in concert, through rigorous and continuous oversight at the federal, state, and local level, that we can protect the health and well-being of detainees, facility personnel, and the broader community. ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/20/bennet-demands-senate-investigation-into-trumps-weaponization-of-the-federal-government-against-colorado/,Bennet Demands Senate Investigation Into Trump’s Weaponization of the Federal Government Against Colorado,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to launch immediate investigations into the Trump administration’s use of federal agencies, grants, and personnel to carry out the President’s political vendetta against Colorado. The call for the Senate to investigate the role the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Interior and Transportation as well as the Office of Management and Budget played follows new evidence that the White House coordinated efforts to punish Colorado and its residents in an effort to secure Tina Peters’ release. “The Trump Administration’s coordinated weaponization of the federal bureaucracy – intended to compel Colorado to pardon an individual convicted of state crimes in state court – is unprecedented, and strikes at the core of our democracy and our Constitution’s federal architecture,” wrote Bennet. As part of an ongoing lawsuit, new evidence revealed an email sent by a White House special assistant inviting federal employees from five federal agencies and offices to a “brainstorm call” to “discuss immediate actions that [their agency] can take with respect to Colorado.” The email was sent just hours before Trump attacked Colorado leadership for not releasing former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters from state prison. Peters was found guilty by a jury of her peers of four state felonies and three misdemeanors related to election interference. “Allowing this unconstitutional overreach to go unchallenged sets a dangerous precedent, and unsettles the relationship between states and the federal government. No state should be subject to punitive measures for decisions that simply happen to go against a sitting president’s desires – and no American should be denied relief from floods and wildfires, or see their opportunity for clean water ripped away, simply because they happen to live in a state at odds with a given administration,” wrote Bennet. In the days following the December email, the Trump administration took a series of actions targeting Colorado. It cut grant funding; denied two requests for disaster relief related to the Lee and Elk fires and flooding in Southwest Colorado; threatened SNAP benefits for more than 100,000 Colorado families; and sought to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. In the final days of the year, Trump issued the first veto of his second presidential term, blocking bipartisan legislation that would have completed the long-promised Arkansas Valley Conduit and delivered clean drinking water to 50,000 Coloradans. “The President – unable to accomplish his objective legally – resorted to a campaign of coercion. But the nature of this assault is not confined to Colorado alone. Today, no state, and no citizen, can assume they are safe from similar methods of intimidation. That should concern us all,” wrote Bennet. Bennet has consistently fought against Trump’s weaponization of the federal government. In January, Bennet led the entire Colorado delegation in support of Governor Jared Polis’ appeal to Trump’s targeted denial of Major Disaster Declarations for the Lee and Elk Fires and the Southwest Colorado flooding. He then introduced legislation to ensure that no President could deny disaster aid as part of a political vendetta. In January, Bennet spoke on the Senate floor for nearly an hour to highlight the importance of NCAR. On the final day of 2025, Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) slammed Trump for vetoing their bipartisan Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. In December 2025, Bennet and Hickenlooper issued a joint statement in response to reports that the Trump administration plans to dismantle the NCAR in Boulder and cancel millions in transportation and energy grants designated for Colorado. In October 2025, he issued a statement following the Trump administration’s targeted cancellation of billions of dollars in funding for energy projects across the country. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Majority Leader Thune and Minority Leader Schumer: I write to request that the relevant committees of the United States Senate immediately investigate the use of federal departments, federal grants, and federal employees to systematically punish the State of Colorado and its residents. The Trump Administration’s coordinated weaponization of the federal bureaucracy – intended to compel Colorado to pardon an individual convicted of state crimes in state court – is unprecedented, and strikes at the core of our democracy and our Constitution’s federal architecture. As you know, last week, a pending lawsuit revealed new evidence confirming the White House’s willful targeting of Colorado. In an email, sent at 2:43am on December 15, 2025, a White House special assistant directed individuals from the Departments of Transportation, Agriculture, Interior, Energy, and the Office of Management and Budget to join a “brainstorm call” to discuss “immediate actions that [their agencies] can take with respect to Colorado.” This email was a clear and direct continuation of President Trump’s effort to secure former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters’ release from state prison, after a jury of her peers found her guilty of four state felonies and multiple misdemeanors. President Trump raised the issue again within hours of the email being sent, criticizing Colorado Governor Jared Polis for not allowing “our wonderful Tina to come out of a jail, in a high intensity jail, because she caught people cheating on an election that they said she was cheating.” Over the following days, the Trump Administration cut grant funding to Colorado, denied two requests for disaster relief aid, scrutinized the State’s food stamp program, and attempted to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. This barrage culminated in President Trump’s decision to veto bipartisan legislation that would have completed the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a pipeline project to deliver clean drinking water to 50,000 Coloradans. It was the first veto of his second term. Presidential administrations are entitled to advance their political priorities – part of the presidency’s power is the ability to direct the executive branch in a manner that aligns with their policy preferences. But that authority does not and has never included the absolute ability to dictate terms to states, which retain elements of sovereignty in their own right. This is a fundamental precept of our federalist system of government, and is especially true in the realm of state sentences and state convictions handed down by state courts. Moreover, the case at issue here offers no room for claims of federal preemption. There is no policy difference being adjudicated that pits Colorado against the federal government, nor has Congress passed legislation that would override state law. Instead, the Administration is attempting to use the overwhelming power of the executive branch – grant determinations and disaster aid, nutrition benefits and the location of federal facilities – to force action that is inarguably within Colorado’s exclusive sphere of authority. Allowing this unconstitutional overreach to go unchallenged sets a dangerous precedent, and unsettles the relationship between states and the federal government. No state should be subject to punitive measures for decisions that simply happen to go against a sitting president’s desires – and no American should be denied relief from floods and wildfires, or see their opportunity for clean water ripped away, simply because they happen to live in a state at odds with a given administration. The President – unable to accomplish his objective legally – resorted to a campaign of coercion. But the nature of this assault is not confined to Colorado alone. Today, no state, and no citizen, can assume they are safe from similar methods of intimidation. That should concern us all. The Senate must investigate this coordinated effort when we return in September. Coloradans, and all Americans, deserve to know the truth. ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/new-analysis-33681-coloradans-could-go-hungry-following-gop-cuts-to-snap/,"New Analysis: 33,681 Coloradans Could Go Hungry Following GOP Cuts to SNAP",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"For the cost of the White House ballroom, those Coloradans could receive nearly four years of SNAP benefits WASHINGTON – New analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows the impact of President Trump and MAGA Republicans’ ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on Colorado’s most vulnerable. The analysis shows that since the GOP law was passed last July, 33,681 fewer Coloradans are accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that provide food assistance to low-income families and individuals to help them afford groceries. Senator Hickenlooper opposed the bill, which cut $186 billion from SNAP, a program serving 42 million Americans, including 600,000 Coloradans. The $300 million in taxpayer dollars going toward the new White House ballroom could provide nearly four years of SNAP benefits to every Coloradan who has left the food assistance program since the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed. “Last summer, Republicans ripped the safety net out from under our most vulnerable Coloradans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires,” said Hickenlooper. “Republicans added insult to injury by sticking states with a massive unfunded mandate that could force even more families to lose food assistance. SNAP participation is falling at an alarming rate. We will continue to fight these cuts and protect the families who depend on this assistance.” Hickenlooper has led the charge against new provisions that require states to spend more of their state budgets to cover SNAP benefits and administrative costs associated with them. On average, states will be forced to spend two to three times of their previous SNAP budget on the program. In Colorado, SNAP cost-share will rise from $94 million to $272 million, a 188% increase. At least 23 states have expressed concern that they may be forced to dramatically reduce or end their SNAP programs. ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/19/bennet-huffman-colleagues-fight-against-rescission-of-key-energy-leasing-and-public-lands-protections/,"Bennet, Huffman, Colleagues Fight Against Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections",2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) led their Democratic colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. Their rollback will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs. In the first letter, the lawmakers denounce the BLM’s proposal to rescind the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule). The 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule ensured that the concerns of states, Tribes, and local communities were included in decision-making and was a long-overdue correction to decades of BLM policies that favored oil and gas development over other uses and led to tens of thousands of dangerous abandoned wells that became the financial responsibility of taxpayers instead of the oil and gas companies. This rule had immense public support and established a balanced framework that saved taxpayer money, ensured multi-use management of public lands, and protected cultural resources and rural communities that depend on public lands. In this letter, the lawmakers ask that the administration specifically reconsider oil and gas bonding requirements; public participation, Tribal consultation, and landowner involvement; and leasing preference criteria. “[…] BLM’s newly proposed rule threatens to dismantle this common-sense progress. We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes shift cleanup liabilities back to the public, restrict community and private landowner participation, and distort the balance required to manage America’s public lands responsibly,” wrote the lawmakers. In addition to Bennet and Huffman, Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IlI.), Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) signed this letter. In the second letter, the lawmakers outline their strong opposition to BLM’s proposal to overturn the 2024 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule (the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule). The BLM’s reversal of this commonsense rule will increase pollution on public lands, reduce domestic energy supply, expose nearby communities to avoidable health risks, and waste publicly owned natural gas, costing Americans tens of millions in foregone revenue. “We strongly urge BLM to reject this proposed rescission and maintain the 2024 Waste Prevention rule. The oil and gas resources on these lands belong to the American public and Tribal nations, and they deserve to benefit from the full value and benefits of responsible resource stewardship,” wrote the lawmakers. In addition to Bennet and Huffman, Senators Luján, Angus King (I-Maine), Whitehouse, Hickenlooper, Wyden, Heinrich, Markey, Booker, and Merkley as well as Representatives Ansari, Bonamici, Brownley, Carbajal, Sean Casten (D-IlI.), Cohen, Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), DeGette, Dexter, Dingell, Grijalva, Hoyle, Jacobs, Krishnamoorthi, Magaziner, McCollum, Min, Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Neguse, Pallone, Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Randall, Scanlon, Simon, and Vargas signed the letter. Bennet has championed reforms to make oil and gas development on federal lands safer, more fiscally responsible, and responsive to the American people. In November 2025, Bennet, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, and Luján urged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Bureau of Land Management Acting Director Bill Groffy to maintain the federal oil and gas bonding requirements in the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule. In April 2024, Bennet welcomed the BLM’s final Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing rule. The rule followed years of Bennet’s advocacy, including in December 2022 and July 2023. The Onshore Leasing Rule included reforms Bennet proposed in his PEOPLE Act to restore the role of the public, county commissioners, and other local elected leaders in shaping decisions about public land management and lease sales, and in his Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act. Bennet successfully advocated for $4.7 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to plug and remediate orphan oil wells, including $25 million for Colorado. Bennet has also encouraged the federal government to follow Colorado’s lead as the first state to regulate methane. In March 2024, Bennet applauded the BLM’s final Waste Prevention Rule, which came following his urging. In December 2023, Bennet applauded a final rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require oil and gas producers to detect and fix leaks of methane. In February 2023, Bennet and Hickenlooper joined Senate colleagues to urge the EPA to use data from innovative monitoring technologies like satellite imaging and tighten restrictions on routine flaring to strengthen methane emission standards. In June 2023, Bennet joined colleagues in pushing the EPA to strengthen its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production and to swiftly implement key provisions of the Methane Emission Reduction Program. The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule is available HERE. The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/19/bennet-joins-legislation-to-codify-womens-right-to-serve-in-combat/,Bennet Joins Legislation to Codify Women’s Right to Serve in Combat,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined the Women Add Resourcefulness and Resilience to Improve Operational Readiness (WARRIOR) Act, legislation led by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IlI.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This legislation reinforces the principle upon which the U.S. military relies: standards must be based on the demands of the job, not gender. Maintaining rigorous, gender-neutral standards is particularly critical in light of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s decision to order a study examining “the effectiveness of women in combat jobs,” despite there being no evidence that the presence of women in combat units lowers standards. “Our military’s strength is rooted in the selfless sacrifice and bravery of all troops in all roles,” said Bennet. “To ensure that our Armed Forces maintain readiness, it is critical that decisions on qualification be based on gender-neutral and scientifically-based standards, not sexist partisanship. This legislation will ensure those who answer the call to service, regardless of their gender, are judged on performance and ability, not Hegseth’s regressive biases.” “From blocking the promotions of qualified servicewomen to ordering an unnecessary study re-examining what a decade of service has already proven, it’s clear that Secretary Hegseth is more interested in attacking women service members than he is in protecting the security of our nation. Building and maintaining the strongest military in the world depends on giving every qualified servicemember a fair chance to meet the required standards to serve our country,” said Hirono. “This commonsense legislation honors the service of thousands of women who have served in combat roles with distinction, while strengthening our military by ensuring that every qualified service member is judged by their ability, not their gender.” “Our nation would never be ready for battle without our brave women in uniform who have earned their place in our military,” said Duckworth. “For all his bluster about meritocracy, Pete Hegseth continues to find slimy ways to push out warriors who have earned their right to serve. This threatens morale and readiness at every level. We must curb this Administration’s moronic agenda against our women in uniform by requiring gender-neutral standards that are scientifically rigorous and prohibiting gender-based exclusion in our Armed Forces, before our military is weakened any further.” The WARRIOR Act updates outdated provisions of federal law to ensure that military occupational standards are based on validated requirements of the job and applied equally to all qualified service members. This bill codifies what more than two decades of experience has already proven: maintaining rigorous, gender-neutral standards strengthens our military readiness. Despite this long-standing tradition of merit-based promotions and standards, recent reporting revealed that Hegseth blocked the promotions of seven senior Navy officers, five of whom are women or people of color. Hegseth’s unprecedented decision to overrule the promotion board means that for the first time in more than a decade, no female active-duty naval officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year, officials said. These actions underscore the need for statutory protections to ensure that qualified service members are evaluated on merit, rather than gender. Specifically, the WARRIOR Act reinforces merit-based standards in our Armed Forces by: Establishing a clear, statutory prohibition on excluding any service member from a military occupational specialty, career field, or assignment based on gender; Removing outdated language limiting protections to roles already “open to both male and female members,” ensuring all positions are covered; Mandating that military occupational standards reflect the actual requirements of the job, including technical, tactical, cognitive, physical abilities, and requiring standards to be developed through a scientifically rigorous process; Expanding congressional review of proposed changes, including costs, data, and rationale, and extending the review period to 180 days and requiring the Department of Defense to submit annual reports to Congress including Changes to occupational standards Data on involuntary reassignments and separations Justifications for personnel decisions; Requiring that service members in good standing have at least 18 months to meet any new or revised standard and incorporating input from DoD medical and research experts, and; Mandating submission to Congress of the full, unredacted study on combat unit effectiveness ordered by the Secretary of Defense in December and requiring a follow-up review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The WARRIOR ACT is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), Minority Veterans of America, Women in Service Coalition Inc. (WiSCI), National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Former JAGs Working Group, Vet Voice Foundation. Bennet long has advocated for the U.S. Armed Forces occupation standards to be made on the basis of job requirements and on the merit of our servicemembers, not race, gender, or sexuality. In January 2025, Bennet joined Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), as well as 19 Senate colleagues on a resolution honoring the service of women in combat roles in the U.S. Armed Forces. In April 2023, Bennet wrote an opinion article to shed light on the many challenges that women servicemembers face. In December 2015, Bennet issued a statement following former DoD Secretary Ash Carter’s announcement that all combat positions would be open to women. In January 2023, Bennet welcomed the decision by the DoD to remove the ban on women serving in direct combat. In addition to Bennet, Hirono, and Duckworth, Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) cosponsored this legislation. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Maggy Goodlander (D-N.H.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), and Derek Tran (D-Calif.). The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/19/bennet-neguse-bacon-urge-defense-department-to-reverse-nato-force-cuts/,"Bennet, Neguse, Bacon Urge Defense Department to Reverse NATO Force Cuts",2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) led a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding reports that the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to reduce contributions to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations in Europe, undermining allied security and emboldening Russia at a particularly dangerous moment for trans-Atlantic security. “Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United States has maintained an increased presence in Central and Eastern Europe to deter Russia’s potential aggression against NATO allies. Earlier this summer, however, the United States European Command announced plans to scale back the number of forces committed to NATO, including a 30 percent cut to fighter jets, a decrease in reconnaissance planes, and the withdrawal of aerial refueling tankers,” began the lawmakers. “This decision will severely undermine allied surveillance and intelligence coordination, leaving NATO allies vulnerable as President Vladimir Putin weighs aggression against our NATO allies — whom the United States is legally obligated to defend, if called upon under Article 5. Deterring Russia through strong support for NATO is far less costly than potentially fighting a war with Russia in the future,” wrote the lawmakers. The bipartisan trio urged Secretary Hegseth to reconsider the proposed cuts to NATO resources and requested that the DoD outline its plans for how the United States will uphold long-standing commitments to allied security. Bennet, Neguse, and Bacon also stressed that the United States must reaffirm America’s leadership within NATO, not introduce uncertainty or risk the alliance’s collective strength. “We understand your Department’s efforts to ensure Europe pays more for its own defense so the United States can spend more of our own resources deterring China across the Indo-Pacific. This is a long-running and bipartisan priority. But your planned reduction cuts deep across NATO capabilities and will take effect far earlier than European allies had been preparing for. This decision and its rapid implementation will weaken our shared deterrence posture in Europe by sending a troubling signal — both to our NATO allies and to Putin — about the U.S. commitment to this alliance at precisely the wrong moment,” continued the lawmakers. “NATO is the most successful defensive military alliance in history, having served as the cornerstone of trans-Atlantic peace and U.S. national security for over seven decades. Now is the time to recommit to this alliance, particularly as NATO itself expands cooperation with Indo- Pacific partners to address the China challenge – not to pull back and create vulnerabilities that risk implicating the United States. Accordingly, we urge you to immediately reconsider the planned reduction of resources to NATO,” concluded the lawmakers. Bennet is a leading advocate for greater U.S. cooperation with NATO allies and continued support for Ukraine. Earlier this summer, Bennet led seven colleagues in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent urging the Trump administration to crack down on a Russian state-backed cryptocurrency sanctions evasion network funding Russia’s war. He also voted to advance major bipartisan legislation he co-sponsors to impose sanctions on Putin’s inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms supporting Russia’s defense industrial base. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan bills to impose sanctions on specific Russian oil ships and entities trading in Russian oil, respectively. Earlier this year, Bennet wrote an op-ed in EURACTIV urging the United States and like-minded allies to form a coalition to cooperatively and immediately wield Russian sovereign assets on Ukraine’s behalf. In December 2025, Bennet led a bipartisan letter to Belgian Ambassador to the U.S. Frédéric Bernard, expressing support for European efforts to leverage Russian sovereign assets to finance a loan for Ukraine. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan legislation to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to support Ukraine. This would build on the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, which Bennet co-sponsored and which President Joe Biden signed into law in April 2024. Additionally, Bennet leads legislation in the Senate defense and intelligence bills, both of which have passed their respective committees, to bolster drone and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Secretary Hegseth: We write to express our deep concern regarding public reports that the Department of Defense plans to significantly reduce U.S. contributions to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations in Europe and to reiterate the alliance’s crucial role in maintaining trans-Atlantic peace and advancing U.S. national security, particularly following the July NATO summit in Türkiye. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the United States has maintained an increased presence in Central and Eastern Europe to deter Russia’s potential aggression against NATO allies. Earlier this summer, however, the United States European Command announced plans to scale back the number of forces committed to NATO, including a 30 percent cut to fighter jets, a decrease in reconnaissance planes, and the withdrawal of aerial refueling tankers. This decision will severely undermine allied surveillance and intelligence coordination, leaving NATO allies vulnerable as President Vladimir Putin weighs aggression against our NATO allies — whom the United States is legally obligated to defend, if called upon under Article 5. Deterring Russia through strong support for NATO is far less costly than potentially fighting a war with Russia in the future. Yet your planned drawdown threatens to weaken deterrence by creating intelligence gaps, diminishing U.S. global power projection, eroding our credibility as an ally. Maritime reconnaissance aircraft, for example, are the primary tools for tracking Russian submarines in the Atlantic and North Sea. Without U.S. aircraft for that mission, NATO will have less capacity to monitor Russian naval movements and protect undersea infrastructure, including energy pipelines and telecommunications cables. The United States also assists with NATO’s airborne surveillance, intercepting Russian military communications and detecting Russian missiles and drone launches before they threaten allied airspace — all of which your planned drawdown could impair. Additionally, NATO depends on U.S. logistics to sustain long-range air combat. Withdrawing U.S. refueling tankers will restrict the operational range of European fighter jets and compromise NATO’s ability to maintain control of the airspace. We understand your Department’s efforts to ensure Europe pays more for its own defense so the United States can spend more of our own resources deterring China across the Indo-Pacific. This is a long-running and bipartisan priority. But your planned reduction cuts deep across NATO capabilities and will take effect far earlier than European allies had been preparing for. This decision and its rapid implementation will weaken our shared deterrence posture in Europe by sending a troubling signal — both to our NATO allies and to Putin — about the U.S. commitment to this alliance at precisely the wrong moment. Accordingly, there is strong bipartisan opposition to further troop drawdowns in Europe, as evinced by force posture oversight provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and FY 2027 NDAA text in both chambers. NATO is the most successful defensive military alliance in history, having served as the cornerstone of trans-Atlantic peace and U.S. national security for over seven decades. Now is the time to recommit to this alliance, particularly as NATO itself expands cooperation with IndoPacific partners to address the China challenge – not to pull back and create vulnerabilities that risk implicating the United States. Accordingly, we urge you to immediately reconsider the planned reduction of resources to NATO. We request you provide our offices with a written description of your plans by August 31, 2026. ###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/as-geo-group-ignores-state-health-order-analysis-shows-trumps-immigration-enforcement-agenda-is-costing-colorado-taxpayers-roughly-2400-per-person/,"As GEO Group Ignores State Health Order, Analysis Shows Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Agenda Is Costing Colorado Taxpayers Roughly $2,400 Per Person",2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"New Video: Hickenlooper Calls Out The GEO Group For Ignoring State Health Order Hickenlooper: “The GEO Group ignored the state’s deadline to provide critical information about potential TB exposure… That’s unacceptable.” WASHINGTON – As the GEO Group ignored the deadline to comply with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s public health order, a recent analysis from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) detailed how President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda is costing Colorado taxpayers to the tune of roughly $5.4 billion. According to the analysis, the average Colorado taxpayer is contributing roughly $2,400 to the administration’s mass deportation efforts. The study did not include what the State is spending responding to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including countless hours public health officials have spent seeking answers about the confirmed tuberculosis case at the Aurora Detention Facility. “The GEO Group ignored the state’s deadline to provide critical information about potential TB exposure and other things. That’s unacceptable,” said Hickenlooper in a new video statement today. “Estimates show Colorado taxpayers are paying…$5.4 billion…roughly $2,400 per taxpayer for the administration’s detention and deportation efforts. Think about what that money could do if we had to spend on Colorado families: provide health care, put food on the table, pay rent, or make child care more affordable. We need an immigration system built on decency and the rule of law, and not one that wastes taxpayer dollars and jeopardizes public safety by creating a reign of terror. We’re going to keep demanding answers and holding ICE and GEO accountable.” Watch Senator Hickenlooper’s full video on X, Facebook,YouTube, and Instagram On Monday, Hickenlooper visited the ICE detention facility in Aurora where he criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and lack of transparency. EPI’s analysis estimated each state’s share of federal income taxes to calculate Colorado’s contribution. Below are estimates on how this $5.4 billion dollars could benefit Colorado instead of Trump’s mass deportation agenda: $1.52 billion could pay for a full decade of Medicaid coverage for the 23,126 Coloradans who are no longer covered by Medicaid compared to last year. 23,126 fewer Coloradans were enrolled in Medicaid as of April 2026 compared to April 2025. $6,590 is the average annual spending on Medicaid per enrollee in Colorado. $780 million could restore SNAP benefits for a decade for every Coloradan who left the food assistance program following the Trump and Washington Republicans’ cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill. 33,681 fewer Coloradans participated in the program between July 2025 and June 2026. Average yearly SNAP benefit per person is $2,316. $1 billion could pay for one year of rent for about 52,800 Colorado households. The average monthly rent in Colorado is approximately $1,578. $2.1 billion could cover the average annual childcare cost for 55,508 Colorado families for a full year. The average annual childcare cost for families with two children in Colorado is $37,832. Hickenlooper has been outspoken in the face of ICE’s lawlessness and demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of the agency to stop ICE from terrorizing our communities. Hickenlooper also voted against the DHS funding bill because it failed to overhaul ICE. He has consistently pushed for more oversight and transparency for federal immigration enforcement efforts, and has worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE. In January, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the horrifying killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, condemn the reports that families in Eagle County found “death cards” left in the cars of family members taken by ICE agents, and to demand the overhaul of ICE. He’s shown up at ICE facilities previously to conduct congressional oversight visits and raise concerns about ICE disregarding due process. He helped launch an investigation into ICE’s unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight and introduced bills to ban ICE from wearing masks, prevent immigration enforcement from targeting schools, hospitals, polling locations, and places of worship, and cut back the excessive funding that MAGA Republicans gave them. Following the shooting at the Aurora ICE facility by a GEO Group employee, Hickenlooper condemned the shooting and called for a thorough review of DHS policies to help prevent similar incidents. ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/18/bennet-schumer-schrier-88-colleagues-demand-rescission-of-trumps-dangerous-childhood-vaccine-executive-order/,"Bennet, Schumer, Schrier, 88 Colleagues Demand Rescission of Trump’s Dangerous Childhood Vaccine Executive Order",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Representative Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) led 88 colleagues in demanding President Donald Trump rescind his executive order that directs federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encourages states to reconsider school immunization requirements. Trump’s anti-science executive order creates chaos and confusion just as millions of families across the country are preparing for the school year and are relying on science-based vaccine recommendations to protect their children and communities from preventable diseases. “At a moment when the United States is experiencing the highest surge in measles cases in thirty-five years and an increasing number of states forced to declare public health emergencies – your administration is placing more children in harm’s way rather than protecting them. This Executive Order overrides decades of scientific evidence and sows fear, chaos, and confusion. The result will not be safer or healthier children; it will be a continued decline in vaccination rates, recurring disease outbreaks, higher healthcare costs, and school disruptions that cause learning loss. Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety, and save millions of lives each year – especially the lives of children,” wrote the lawmakers. Since being confirmed, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unleashed a methodical campaign to substitute decades of science with an anti-vaccine ideology. Specifically, Trump’s latest directive pushes to break up combination vaccines into single-disease doses, ignoring the medical community’s long-standing, evidence-backed agreement that combination vaccines are safe, effective, and specifically timed to protect children when they need it most. The executive order forces families to schedule multiple doctors’ appointments with multiple co-pays, which adds unnecessary chaos, confusion, and financial strain. Compounding this issue is the deep Medicaid cuts under Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Big Act that have drastically cut access to care and increased cost burdens for low-income families. Notably, single-disease shots for routine childhood vaccines, like measles, mumps, and rubella, simply do not exist in the U.S. market. Demanding parents and pediatricians switch to non-existent vaccines creates mass confusion, stalls routine care right as children head back to school, and forces drug manufacturers into a years-long regulatory pipeline. Additionally, this executive order directs the Department of Justice to push back on longstanding state school immunization requirements, ignoring 81 percent of parents who agree that public schools should require essential immunizations like measles and polio vaccines. “The health and safety of America’s children must not be sacrificed for political theater and ideology. American children and their families deserve robust evidence-based immunization recommendations that are rooted in science. The administration’s politicization of vaccines makes American families less safe, threatens to return the U.S. to an era before routine vaccination prevented millions of infections, and is already resulting in unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths, particularly among children,” continued the lawmakers. “Every day this Executive Order remains in effect, more children go without the vaccines that would protect them, additional outbreaks become more likely, and lives are put at risk. We urge you to rescind this Executive Order immediately and restore evidence-based decision-making to federal public health policy,” concluded the lawmakers. Bennet has constantly fought against Trump and Kennedy’s anti-science agenda. Bennet issued a statement immediately following the announcement of Trump’s executive order directing federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encouraging states to reconsider school immunization requirements. In April 2026, Bennet questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his skepticism of childhood vaccines amidst the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in over thirty years. Additionally, in March 2025 and 2026, Bennet joined in sending a letter to Kennedy to demand the department reverse changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration websites that promote false and dangerous information about autism. In September 2025, he questioned Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his actions undermining vaccine safety and access for American families. Bennet also joined members of the Senate Finance Committee in issuing a statement calling on Kennedy to resign due to the danger he poses to America’s health, his lies to Congress, and his spread of disinformation. In addition to Bennet, Schumer, and Schrier, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), as well as Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (D-IlI.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Robin Kelly (D-IlI.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IlI.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Brittney Pettersen (D-Colo.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Mike Quigley (D-IlI.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jan Schakowsky (D-IlI.), Brad Schneider (D-IlI.), Eric Sorensen (D-IlI.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D- Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Richie Torres (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) signed this letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear President Trump: Every August, millions of American families participate in the familiar late-summer ritual of gathering school supplies, scheduling annual wellness checkups, and preparing their children to step back into the classroom. For decades, parents have trusted these routine doctor visits to protect their children against preventable, life-threatening diseases. Your August 10, 2026, Executive Order, “Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans” shatters that consensus. We write to insist that you rescind it immediately. At a moment when the United States is experiencing the highest surge in measles cases in thirty-five years and an increasing number of states forced to declare public health emergencies – your administration is placing more children in harm’s way rather than protecting them. This Executive Order overrides decades of scientific evidence and sows fear, chaos, and confusion. The result will not be safer or healthier children; it will be a continued decline in vaccination rates, recurring disease outbreaks, higher healthcare costs, and school disruptions that cause learning loss. Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety, and save millions of lives each year – especially the lives of children. Unfortunately, this directive is only the latest step in a systematic campaign by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to substitute anti-vaccine ideology for decades of scientific evidence. Since being confirmed, Secretary Kennedy has: Fired all seventeen independent members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with unvetted ideologues who have a history of undermining vaccines. Peddled unproven treatments as alternatives to safe, effective vaccines, like cod liver oil for measles, putting young children in the hospital with liver damage. Pressured leadership of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to approve unscientific recommendations while removing vital public health information and publishing false or misleading claims on agency websites, such as the CDC’s autism and vaccines page. Canceled critical mRNA research and endorsed false claims that mRNA vaccines cause widespread harm and repeatedly spread disproven theories linking vaccines to autism, despite dozens of studies proving otherwise. Attempted to alter the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in a manner that threatened to drive vaccine manufacturers out of the market entirely. This latest directive encouraging the breakup of combination vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot, into single-disease doses over multiple doctor’s visits defies medical evidence and places additional burdens on families. Leading medical professionals agree that combination vaccines are safe, effective, and specifically timed to protect children when they require that immunity. Moreover, separate single-dose options for MMR are not even currently available in the United States, meaning drug manufacturers would be forced to navigate a complex, years-long approval process. This order leaves parents with inconsistent, muddled advice, further stoking unfounded fears about vaccine safety, despite the overwhelming evidence of the benefits of universal immunization for the MMR vaccine. That is not “gold standard” medicine. It is manufactured chaos. Forcing parents to schedule and pay co-pays for multiple medical visits for immunizations that were previously administered at a single appointment creates financial and logistical hardship, and is cruel to children. These burdens are compounded by the severe cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act enacted under the One Big, Beautiful Big Act, which are leaving working families without access to a primary care physician. Moreover, it increases burden for pediatricians who already face packed schedules. Finally, directing the Department of Justice to challenge long-standing state school immunization requirements perpetuates dangerous uncertainty in local communities and directly threatens public health. Overturning established, evidence-based vaccine policies creates a chaotic patchwork of rules that leaves parents, school districts, and health officials without clear guidance, while ignoring the vast majority of parents (81%) who agree that public schools should require students to receive essential immunizations like the measles and polio vaccines. The health and safety of America’s children must not be sacrificed for political theater and ideology. American children and their families deserve robust evidence-based immunization recommendations that are rooted in science. The administration’s politicization of vaccines makes American families less safe, threatens to return the U.S. to an era before routine vaccination prevented millions of infections, and is already resulting in unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths, particularly among children. Every day this Executive Order remains in effect, more children go without the vaccines that would protect them, additional outbreaks become more likely, and lives are put at risk. We urge you to rescind this Executive Order immediately and restore evidence-based decision-making to federal public health policy. ###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/17/bennet-schumer-colleagues-call-on-trump-administration-to-escalate-efforts-to-rescue-u-s-nationals-detained-in-russia/,"Bennet, Schumer, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Escalate Efforts to Rescue U.S. Nationals Detained in Russia",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Following the Release of Robert Gilman After 1666 Days, Senators Fight for Five Others Who Remain in Captivity Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 14 Senate Democratic colleagues on a letter urging the Trump administration to escalate efforts to rescue U.S. nationals held in Russian custody and develop a clear and comprehensive plan to secure the release of American detainees. In their letter, the senators urged the Trump administration to employ all diplomatic, economic, and political means available to secure the release of five U.S. nationals who Russia continues to detain – some for more than four years. In the years following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has wrongfully detained multiple U.S. nationals – including Stephen Hubbard, who has ties to Colorado. Russia has sentenced them to years of detention with little to no evidence of criminality and used their detainment as leverage over the United States. Bennet has been and will continue working with the State Department to bring Mr. Hubbard home. “Families of detainees endure significant emotional and financial hardship while awaiting progress on the release of their loved ones,” the senators wrote. “Several of our offices have received troubling reports from family and community members regarding the conditions of detention of their loved ones and the perpetual nature of their detention. Many detainees have remained in Russian custody for years with no clear pathway for their release or return to the United States. As time passes, the physical, emotional, and psychological toll on both the detainees and their families continues to mount.” Accordingly, the senators urged the administration to: Continue to demand and ensure adequate consular access to all U.S. nationals held in Russian detention; Expedite the consideration and employment of the “wrongful detention” designation as intended under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (Levinson Act) and subsequent legislation that has expanded the Levinson Act, including continued communication with Congress on the criteria and deliberations of such designations; Have a plan and path forward to secure the release of U.S. nationals currently detained in the Russian Federation outside of stalled negotiations related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or broader issues in the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship; and Consider the use of the State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention designation that the United States has already used on other repeat offender nations, including Iran and Afghanistan. In addition to Bennet and Schumer, Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) signed the letter. Bennet has consistently advocated to free U.S. nationals wrongfully detained abroad, including Hubbard. Bennet also worked with the State Department and other stakeholders to help secure the March 2026 release of Dennis Coyle, a Colorado native who the Taliban had wrongfully detained in Afghanistan. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Rubio: We write to express our grave concern for the U.S. nationals detained by the Russian Federation under circumstances that raise serious questions about their safety and wellbeing, due process, and violations to international norms. In particular, we write with concern for U.S. nationals who have been detained for extended periods and are recognized by the Department of State as ‘cases of concern’ but who have not yet been designated as wrongfully detained under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (“Levinson Act”) by the Department, a reality which deeply undermines the negotiating position of the United States in securing their safe and rightful return home, perpetuating their suffering under an unjust regime. Importantly, Stephen Hubbard is the only American who has been designated as a wrongful detainee in Russia. A U.S. citizen with broad familial ties across the U.S., Stephen is currently 74 years old and has been detained since April 2, 2022. He was formally designated as a wrongful detainee in January 2025, and we continue to join in his family’s advocacy to bring Stephen home urgently and hold Russia accountable for its cruel use of hostage diplomacy. We recognize and appreciate the continued efforts by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and others in the administration who continuously engage on these critical cases and with the families of those wrongfully held by the Russian government, as well as the efforts of the Department of State to engage with Congress on constituent cases. We join the Gilman family in their relief following this week’s release of Robert Gilman after 1,666 days wrongfully detained in Russia and after horrific reports on his health and the conditions of his imprisonment. Today, at least 5 other Americans remain in these conditions. The continued detention of Americans in Russia underscores the need for sustained engagement and a renewed urgency to obtain their release, including in independent and direct negotiations with the Russian government separate from broader, ongoing negotiations on Russia’s war against Ukraine. Given the stalled status of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, we are deeply concerned that tying the fate of these Americans and their families to broader issues in the U.S.-Russia relationship and deferring their designation as wrongful detainees merely prolongs their hardship. Families of detainees endure significant emotional and financial hardship while awaiting progress on the release of their loved ones. Several of our offices have received troubling reports from family and community members regarding the conditions of detention of their loved ones and the perpetual nature of their detention. Many detainees have remained in Russian custody for years with no clear pathway for their release or return to the United States. As time passes, the physical, emotional, and psychological toll on both the detainees and their families continues to mount. The cases of detained U.S. nationals in Russia, include, but are not limited to, many of our constituents. As of August 12, 2026, these individuals have been held in Russian custody for the following days: Andre Khachatoorian – 1,688 days David Barnes – 1,671 days Olga Jezler – 1,506 days Alexsandr Antonov – 524 days Chuck Zimmerman – 420 days We are united in the belief that the safe return of U.S. nationals detained abroad must remain a priority of the United States government. We are deeply concerned that the current administration has yet to utilize the authorities outlined in the Levinson Act to designate these U.S. nationals detained by the Russian Federation as wrongful detainees and elevate their cases to SPEHA. This valuable tool would maximize U.S. government coordination and advance negotiations to ensure their swift release, and the designation is key for providing needed resources to the families as they advocate for their loved ones and health and other support to released detainees upon their return to the U.S. We urge the administration to continue employing all diplomatic, economic, and strategic tools available to secure the release of these detained U.S. nationals, steadfastly support their families throughout this process, and conduct these negotiations regardless of a Russia-Ukraine peace process or other issues of bilateral concern. Specifically, we ask that this include: Continuing to demand and ensure adequate consular access to all U.S. nationals held in Russian detention. Expediting the consideration and employment of the “wrongful detention” designation as intended under the Levinson Act and subsequent legislation that has expanded the Levinson Act, including continued communication with Congress on the criteria and deliberations of such designations. A plan and path forward to secure the release of U.S. nationals currently detained in the Russian Federation outside of stalled negotiations related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or broader issues in the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship. Consideration of the use of the State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention designation that has already been used on other repeat offender nations, including Iran and Afghanistan. We thank you for your continued engagement with Congress on these and other critical cases. We look forward to your response and continued cooperation in support of U.S. nationals detained abroad and their families here at home. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/as-public-health-compliance-deadline-approaches-hickenlooper-conducts-oversight-visit-to-aurora-ice-detention-center/,"As Public Health Compliance Deadline Approaches, Hickenlooper Conducts Oversight Visit to Aurora ICE Detention Center",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper demanded transparency on recent TB case at the Aurora facility from ICE and GEO and compliance with state order DENVER – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper conducted a congressional oversight visit to the Aurora ICE Detention Center in advance of tonight’s deadline for the GEO Group, the private company that operates the detention center, to comply with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s public health order in the aftermath of at least 12 reported cases of tuberculosis (TB) at the facility. “Despite this being an extremely contagious disease, both ICE and GEO, the private-prison company contracted to run this place, have obstructed state and local health officials,” said Hickenlooper after his visit to the facility. “ICE and GEO need to stop stonewalling, tell health officials who’s been exposed, and help us stop tuberculosis from spreading. That’s how we keep Coloradans safe.” In June, Adams County Health Department was notified of a case of suspected TB at the facility, triggering a routine investigation, which was blocked by GEO. Since, it’s been reported that at least 12 people at the Aurora facility have tested positive for TB. In response to inquiries from Hickenlooper’s office, Colorado press, and public health officials, ICE continues to say that there are no active TB cases at the facility, but have provided zero proof of these claims. Last week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ordered ICE to allow authorities to investigate the possible spread and require GEO to submit medical information and reports to the state health department and the Denver Health Tuberculosis Clinic by end of day today. Hickenlooper held meetings with Adams County and state public health officials before and after his oversight visit today. Hickenlooper has been outspoken in the face of ICE’s lawlessness and demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of the agency to stop ICE from terrorizing our communities. Hickenlooper also voted against the DHS funding bill because it failed to overhaul ICE. He has consistently pushed for more oversight and transparency for federal immigration enforcement efforts, and has worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE. In January, Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the horrifying killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, condemn the reports that families in Eagle County found “death cards” left in the cars of family members taken by ICE agents, and to demand the overhaul of ICE. He’s shown up at ICE facilities previously to conduct congressional oversight visits and raise concerns about ICE disregarding due process. He helped launch an investigation into ICE’s unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight and introduced bills to ban ICE from wearing masks, prevent immigration enforcement from targeting schools, hospitals, polling locations, and places of worship, and cut back the excessive funding that MAGA Republicans gave them. Following the shooting at the Aurora ICE facility by a GEO Group employee, Hickenlooper condemned the shooting and called for a thorough review of DHS policies to help prevent similar incidents. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-calls-for-investigation-into-reports-white-house-targeted-colorado/,Hickenlooper Calls for Investigation Into Reports White House Targeted Colorado,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper calls on Inspectors General of every federal agency involved in White House “brainstorm call” to investigate Hickenlooper: “Federal resources are for the American people, not weapons against the President’s perceived enemies.” WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the below statement calling for an investigation following reports that the Trump administration summoned five agencies to the White House back in December to discuss how the federal government could retaliate against Colorado. “This email confirms the highest levels of the White House orchestrated a campaign of political retribution against Coloradans over President Trump’s petulant grievances. “The White House must preserve and produce all records related to the December 15 ‘brainstorm call.’ We call on the Inspectors General of every federal agency involved to swiftly investigate how federal resources were used to target Colorado. Federal resources are for the American people, not weapons against the president’s perceived enemies.” The Denver Post reported today that Emily Underwood, a deputy assistant to President Trump, asked officials from five agencies to join a call later that day and to be “prepared to discuss immediate actions that your department or agency can take with respect to Colorado” back in December. President Trump has launched a retaliation campaign towards Colorado, citing the imprisonment of election criminal Tina Peters, Colorado’s gold-standard mail-in voting system, and Colorado voters’ rejection of him in the last two presidential elections. In response, the Trump administration recklessly announced plans to move U.S. Space Command’s fully operational headquarters from Colorado Springs to Alabama, vetoed a bipartisan to complete the Arkansas Valley Conduit to bring clean drinking water to Southeast Colorado, shuttered the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, and denied Colorado’s request and appeal for disaster assistance for the Lee and Elk Fires in August 2025 and the Southwest Colorado flooding in October 2025. ###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/13/bennet-coons-lankford-introduce-bill-to-help-unemployed-workers-start-small-businesses/,"Bennet, Coons, Lankford Introduce Bill to Help Unemployed Workers Start Small Businesses",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio) to introduce the New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act, legislation that would modernize the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program so that laid off workers can more easily receive their normal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits while working full-time to start a new business. “Our unemployment insurance system shouldn’t discourage entrepreneurs trying to build their own business or pursue a new idea,” said Bennet. “This legislation gets rid of artificial barriers to self-employment without jeopardizing workers’ access to the unemployment benefits they’re owed.” “Every small business began with someone taking a chance on a new idea, and new AI tools will make it easier than ever to turn those ideas into business plans, sales, and storefronts,” said Coons. “Americans shouldn’t have to choose between the safety net of unemployment benefits that they’ve paid into and the all-American opportunity to chase their entrepreneurial dream. As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, this bill will help support American entrepreneurs, keep food on families’ tables, lift up small businesses, and keep our economy strong.” “If you lose your job, the government shouldn’t tell you the only way forward is to go work for somebody else,” said Lankford. “Some folks have a business idea they’ve been dreaming about for years, and losing a job might be the push to finally chase it. Right now, an outdated federal rule forces people on unemployment to spend their time applying for jobs they don’t want instead of building the business they do want. Our bill fixes that. If you’re willing to put in the work to start a business, hire your neighbors, and build something in your community, we should cheer you on, not stand in your way.” Current law allows states to operate SEA programs, which allow eligible unemployment insurance beneficiaries to continue receiving benefits while working full-time to launch a business rather than searching for traditional employment. However, outdated federal rules unnecessarily limit who can participate, leaving fewer workers with a meaningful opportunity to choose business ownership over traditional employment. The NO BOSS Act would ensure that workers experiencing a job transition don’t have to sacrifice their unemployment insurance payments to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The NO BOSS Act would update the SEA program by: Creating new opportunities for unemployment insurance beneficiaries and encouraging small business formation; Eliminating the requirement that SEA beneficiaries must be “likely to exhaust benefits,” which implies the program can only be used by workers unlikely to find another job; Clarifying that developing a business plan and conducting market feasibility studies count as entrepreneurship work; Making it easier for more states to establish SEA programs modeled on the most successful state programs. The bill is endorsed by the Center for American Entrepreneurship, the Foundation for American Innovation, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, the R Street Institute, Shopify, Block, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers. Bennet has consistently worked to help support Colorado entrepreneurs and small businesses. In June 2026, Bennet led members of the Colorado delegation – including U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, Jason Crow, Jeff Hurd, and Diana DeGette – in welcoming the Small Business Administration’s release of more than $1.8 million in spending authority for the Colorado Small Business Development Center, funds that he had fought for since March 2026. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/13/bennet-hickenlooper-duckworth-colleagues-push-to-stop-trump-from-hiding-the-true-cost-of-the-iran-war-and-dishonoring-the-sacrifices-of-our-heroes/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Duckworth, Colleagues Push to Stop Trump from Hiding the True Cost of the Iran War and Dishonoring the Sacrifices of Our Heroes",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) joined combat veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and 15 of their Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce legislation that would stop the Trump administration from obscuring the true cost of President Trump’s disastrous war from the American people. The Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from manipulating casualty records and jeopardizing the benefits of our servicemembers and public servants. The bill introduction comes after the Pentagon unprecedentedly recategorized recent casualties suffered in President Trump’s war in Iran, including four killed and over 200 wounded servicemembers, under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury in an attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people. “The Trump Administration’s decision to reclassify the deaths of four service members and the injuries of more than 200 is not only dishonest; it is an affront to the service and sacrifice these men and women, and their families, have made,” said Bennet. “Our legislation will stop this administration from obscuring the continuing cost of President Trump’s ongoing war with Iran and, more importantly, will provide confirmation that those who have answered the call to duty and their families will receive the rightful recognition and benefits they are owed.” “Brave Americans who sacrifice everything for this country shouldn’t have their service rewritten by an administration more interested in political convenience than accountability,” said Hickenlooper. “Altering casualty numbers doesn’t just hide the true cost of this war. It diminishes the sacrifice of every service member who was wounded or killed. They and their loved ones deserve better.” “I refuse to let Donald Trump dishonor the service of our heroes just because it benefits him politically to lie about the length of this illegal campaign and hide the true cost of his war from the American people,” said Duckworth. “Trump knows his war of choice is unpopular, which is why he’s manipulating casualty records to try and fool the public into believing it’s been less of a disaster. It’s an insult to our fallen heroes, and it could jeopardize the benefits of troops and civilians he continues to put in harm’s way. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve accountability, not a Commander in Chief who plays games with their sacrifices.” VoteVets and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) endorse this legislation. Bennet has worked tirelessly to ensure service members and their families have access to the benefits they are due and to end President Trump’s reckless war against Iran. Bennet has repeatedly voted in favor of War Powers Resolutions to remove U.S. troops from active conflict operations in the Middle East absent explicit Congressional authorization. In March 2026, Bennet co-sponsored the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Promotion Act, a bipartisan bill that would provide support to veterans in the TAP applying for benefits they earned in service. In March 2025, Bennet joined over 40 colleagues to introduce legislation to provide combat-injured veteran retirees their full benefits. In addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Duckworth, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) cosponsored the bill. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-duckworth-introduce-bill-to-prevent-trump-admin-from-hiding-true-cost-of-iran-war/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet, Duckworth Introduce Bill to Prevent Trump Admin From Hiding True Cost of Iran War",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Benet, and Tammy Duckworth, along with 15 of their Democratic colleagues, introduced the Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act to stop President Trump’s attempts to hide how long his war against Iran has lasted, the true cost of the war, and dishonor the sacrifice of our troops injured and killed in combat. “Brave Americans who sacrifice everything for this country shouldn’t have their service rewritten by an administration more interested in political convenience than accountability,” said Hickenlooper. “Altering casualty numbers doesn’t just hide the true cost of this war. It diminishes the sacrifice of every service member who was wounded or killed. They and their loved ones deserve better.” “The Trump administration’s decision to reclassify the deaths of four service members and the injuries of more than 200 is not only dishonest; it is an affront to the service and sacrifice these men and women, and their families, have made,” said Bennet. “Our legislation will stop this administration from obscuring the continuing cost of President Trump’s ongoing war with Iran and, more importantly, will provide confirmation that those who have answered the call to duty and their families will receive the rightful recognition and benefits they are owed.” “I refuse to let Donald Trump dishonor the service of our heroes just because it benefits him politically to lie about the length of this illegal campaign and hide the true cost of his war from the American people,” said Duckworth. “Trump knows his war of choice is unpopular, which is why he’s manipulating casualty records to try and fool the public into believing it’s been less of a disaster. It’s an insult to our fallen heroes, and it could jeopardize the benefits of troops and civilians he continues to put in harm’s way. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve accountability, not a Commander in Chief who plays games with their sacrifices.” The bill comes after the Pentagon recategorized recent casualties suffered in Trump’s illegal Iran war—including four killed and over 200 wounded service members—under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury. This is a shameless attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people. To ban the Secretary of Defense from hiding the true cost of war, the Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act specifically: Prohibits redesignating an ongoing conflict if the administration continues to mobilize forces against the same enemy; Prohibits manipulation of casualty records by falsely redesignating a contingency operation; Requires restoration of casualty records for Iran-related operations since February 28, 2026, and notification of next-of-kin about the correction; Prohibits the modification of eligibility for deployment-related personnel benefits on the basis of falsely redesignating a contingency operation; and Retroactively restores all covered benefits entitled to members of the Armed Services and civilian employees who have supported Iran-related operations since February 28, 2026. Hickenlooper has been outspoken about Trump’s illegal war in Iran. To date, Hickenlooper has voted 13 times to end the Iran War. Recently, Hickenlooper introduced a War Powers Resolution to end the war, directing President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran. He has consistently condemned the administration for sidestepping Congress and dragging America into a war with no clear objective – one that risks American lives and that Americans overwhelmingly oppose. Full text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-oppose-dois-wilderness-policy-review-as-another-ploy-by-trump-admin-to-weaken-public-lands-protections/,"Hickenlooper, Colleagues Oppose DOI’s Wilderness Policy Review as Another Ploy by Trump Admin to Weaken Public Lands Protections",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Senators: “Given this administration’s obsession with development and disposal of public lands, it seems clear that this comment period is really just a ploy to weaken protections for public lands” WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined nine of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of the Interior strongly opposing Interior’s wilderness management policy review, which may threaten the wilderness character of public lands and disqualify them for future designation by Congress — undermining Congress’ role in wilderness management, and placing nearly 200 million acres of public land at risk. “Lands with wilderness characteristics, wilderness study areas, and designated wilderness areas protect millions of acres of intact habitat, watersheds, ecological and cultural resources, scenic and backcountry values. The undisturbed nature of the entire wilderness system protects whole swaths of habitat and protects migration corridors that aid in the protection of endangered species from the Canada Lynx to the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker,” Hickenlooper and his colleagues wrote. “These areas are some of the best places to fish, hunt, hike, or backpack. They are unparalleled and protected for the sake of solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation and are beloved lands.” Since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Congress has had the authority to designate wilderness areas to protect and conserve some of this country’s wildest places. Congress also has the authority to decide not to designate certain areas as wilderness and release them for general use. The agencies under DOI’s jurisdiction can identify lands with wilderness characteristics, but each agency is required to manage these lands with the goal of protecting their wilderness characteristics. But regardless of how they are selected, the final decision about designation rests with Congress. “It is atypical for the Interior Department to conduct land management planning by asking for comment on its agencies’ general operating procedures. And given this Administration’s obsession with development and disposal of public lands, it seems clear that this comment period is really just a ploy to weaken protections for public lands,” Hickenlooper and his colleagues continued. “This sweeping review comes in addition to the Administration’s efforts to strip protections from national monuments and cultural resource areas, sell vast amounts of public lands in the West, repeal Roadless Rule protections, and change how travel management is developed on public lands.” Hickenlooper has been outspoken against Trump administration cuts to public lands and led an effort against the administration’s plans to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule. Hickenlooper also helped lead the fight against the proposal to sell off more than three million acres of public lands. Read the full text of the letter HERE and below: Dear Secretary Burgum, We write to express our deep concern about the Interior Department’s review of its wilderness management policies. Lands with wilderness characteristics, wilderness study areas, and designated wilderness areas protect millions of acres of intact habitat, watersheds, ecological and cultural resources, scenic and backcountry values. The undisturbed nature of the entire wilderness system protects whole swaths of habitat and protects migration corridors that aid in the protection of endangered species from the Canada Lynx to the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. The security from pollution protects millions of acres of headwaters and clean water that benefit communities across the country. Further, wilderness and future wilderness areas contribute to the vastness of the outdoor recreation economy, inviting visitors to enjoy the wildness of the areas. These areas are some of the best places to fish, hunt, hike, or backpack. They are unparalleled and protected for the sake of solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation and are beloved lands. Since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Congress has had the authority to designate wilderness areas to protect and conserve some of this country’s wildest places. Congress also has the authority to decide not to designate certain areas as wilderness and release them for general use. The agencies under your jurisdiction can identify lands with wilderness characteristics; but each agency is required to manage these lands with the goal of protecting their wilderness characteristics. But regardless of how they are selected, the final decision about designation rests with Congress. It is atypical for the Interior Department to conduct land management planning by asking for comment on its agencies’ general operating procedures. And given this Administration’s obsession with development and disposal of public lands, it seems clear that this comment period is really just a ploy to weaken protections for public lands. This sweeping review comes in addition to the Administration’s efforts to strip protections from national monuments and cultural resource areas, sell vast amounts of public lands in the West, repeal Roadless Rule protections, and change how travel management is developed on public lands. Opening five different comment periods for three different agencies to solicit changes to a myriad of wilderness policies only creates confusion. Soliciting comments on how designated wilderness is managed by the Bureau of Land Management is not in line with the Wilderness Act or the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The management changes that you are seeking will threaten the wilderness character of these lands and may disqualify them for future designation by Congress. Not only does this undermine Congress’ role in wilderness management, but it places nearly 200 million acres of public land at risk. Lands with wilderness characteristics and parcels that qualify for future designation need to be properly stewarded until Congress decides their permanent status. Each of these areas have management plan that were developed with public input and comments specific to the landscape. Opening a general comment period does not compare to the qualified review, public engagement, and specificity that each unit of the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Fish and Wildlife Service receives in land management planning. Therefore, we write in opposition to any policy changes that place congressionally designated wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, lands with wilderness characteristics, or lands that agencies have identified as eligible or suitable for designation, at risk. Further, we respectfully request that your Department consider the 60-year history of wilderness management in this country before taking extreme actions that will jeopardize some of our most valued lands. These lands must be managed at the non-impairment standard so that they can remain untrammeled. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/12/bennet-hirono-chu-colleagues-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-block-trump-administrations-so-called-public-charge-rule/,"Bennet, Hirono, Chu, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Block Trump Administration’s So-Called “Public Charge” Rule",2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver— Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) to introduce the Protect American Values Act, legislation that would prevent federal funds from being used to implement, administer, enforce, or otherwise carry out the Trump administration’s finalized “public charge” rule. Scheduled to take effect on September 18, 2026, the rule would make it more difficult for immigrants who rely on certain government benefits to obtain green cards or adjust their immigration status. “President Trump has normalized cruel immigration policies and stoked fear across immigrant communities,” said Bennet. “This rule isn’t about securing our borders or more efficient spending, its purpose is to punish immigrants who only seek to make a better life for themselves and their families. The Protect American Values Act sends a clear message that, as a nation, we will continue to stand up for our communities and fight this Administration’s inhumane efforts.” “By removing any guidance for what qualifies as ‘public charge’ the Trump Regime’s rule creates fear and prevents immigrants and their families from accessing services they need—even if they are still entitled to them. In making the pathway to attaining a green card more confusing, the anti-immigrant ideology of this regime is abundantly clear,” said Hirono. “The Protecting American Values Act ensures that American tax dollars cannot be used for promoting the anti-American principles the Trump Regime is attempting to implement. “Donald Trump is once again weaponizing our immigration system against families who are simply trying to build better lives in America,” said Chu. “His revived ‘Public Charge’ rule is even more expansive and harmful than the version from his first term, when it was ultimately struck down in court. Unlike the previous rule, this finalized policy does not even identify which benefits will be considered in a public charge test, giving Trump’s immigration officers sweeping discretion to deny green card applications based on subjective judgment instead of clear legal standards. We know exactly what the result will be. Millions of immigrants and mixed-status families will be forced to choose between putting food on the table, getting health care, keeping a roof over their heads, or protecting their future in America. And when families are driven away from health care, nutrition assistance, and other basic services they are legally entitled to, every community pays the price through worse health outcomes, greater strain on providers, and a weaker economy. It is cruel, it is arbitrary, and it is fundamentally un-American. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Protect American Values Act with Senator Hirono to ensure not a single federal dollar can be used to implement this shameful policy.” “It’s already law that most noncitizens are not eligible for public benefits. Yet the Trump-Vance Administration, hellbent on terrorizing immigrants, is now trying to hurt their U.S. citizen children and family members by allowing low-level adjudicators to weaponize those citizens’ use of any public benefits against their noncitizen families when they apply for green cards,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “We don’t have to imagine the negative consequences this policy will have on the health and well-being of our communities, because when President Trump previously instituted a similar policy, it led to widespread avoidance of medical care and other important programs, including among U.S. citizen children. I urge my colleagues to join us in stopping this horrible move in its tracks.” “Trump’s ‘public charge’ rule is yet another cruel, un-American assault on immigrants and their families,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “As the daughter of an immigrant who relied on food stamps to survive, I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing back on this heartless rule. Nobody should have to choose between receiving citizenship or going hungry.” The Trump administration’s finalized rule rescinds the Biden administration’s 2022 reinstatement of the longstanding public charge policy, which made clear that the use of non-cash public benefits — including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance — could not be considered when making public charge determinations. The public charge test is intended to determine whether an individual is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support and use that as grounds for denying admission to the United States or adjustment of lawful permanent resident status. This new rule’s open-ended approach will have a massive chilling effect on the lawful use of benefits by legal permanent residents and even U.S. citizens. As noncitizens do not know which public benefits could result in a green card denial, many will likely avoid using any means-tested public benefits despite their eligibility. Furthermore, because this new rule removes the bright-line limitation on adjudicators considering benefit use by the immigrants’ family members, the new rule discourages the use of public benefits by U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in mixed-status families. While the Trump administration claims this rule would result in reduced government spending, much of this saving will likely come from reduced benefits usage from U.S. citizens and children. Bennet has consistently fought against the Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies. In July, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 37 of their Senate colleagues in calling for stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. In May 2026, Bennet introduced three bills aimed at reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP): the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act; the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act; and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act. In March 2026, Bennet issued a statement when Trump fired former Secretary Noem, and emphasized that DHS must undergo a complete overhaul. In January 2026, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety (IEIS) Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’ long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. In addition to Bennet, Hirono, and Chu, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) cosponsored this bill. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/12/bennet-van-hollen-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-use-leverage-to-prevent-further-atrocities-in-sudan/,"Bennet, Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Use Leverage to Prevent Further Atrocities in Sudan",2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 19 of their Senate Democratic colleagues on a letter pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take action to prevent further atrocities in Sudan and help bring the war to an end, especially given the Rapid Support Forces’s (RSF) impending siege of the city of El Obeid. “We write with alarm regarding the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) impending siege of the city of El Obeid in Sudan, which threatens a repeat of the mass atrocities and bloodshed that occurred in El Fasher this past October. While we welcome the State Department’s expression of concern about the escalating situation in El Obeid, words are not enough. The United States must use the leverage and influence at our disposal to prevent further atrocities in El Obeid and help bring this brutal war in Sudan to an end,” began the senators. “We have already witnessed what happens when the international community fails to heed warnings of RSF atrocities. The RSF’s siege and devastation of El Fasher bore the ‘hallmarks of genocide’ according to United Nations investigators. […] We remain greatly concerned by this administration’s grave failure to act despite the chorus of alarm bells. […] And now those alarm bells are ringing once again – this time in El Obeid,” wrote the senators. “Now, an estimated 500,000 civilians are at risk in El Obeid […]We urge this administration to take concrete actions to prevent such mass atrocities in El Obeid, including by ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to the UAE and other external actors that are fueling this war. We also request an update on what other actions the administration is taking, beyond just words, to prevent mass atrocities in El Obeid and to help bring this war to an end,” concluded the senators. In addition to Bennet and Van Hollen, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) signed the letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Secretary Rubio: We write with alarm regarding the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) impending siege of the city of El Obeid in Sudan, which threatens a repeat of the mass atrocities and bloodshed that occurred in El Fasher this past October. While we welcome the State Department’s expression of concern about the escalating situation in El Obeid, words are not enough. The United States must use the leverage and influence at our disposal to prevent further atrocities in El Obeid and help bring this brutal war in Sudan to an end. These actions should include ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to external actors that are fueling this war, including the United Arab Emirates, which continues to arm the RSF. We have already witnessed what happens when the international community fails to heed warnings of RSF atrocities. The RSF’s siege and devastation of El Fasher bore the “hallmarks of genocide” according to United Nations investigators. A United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission found that “the Rapid Support Forces steadily squeezed the life out of El-Fasher and surrounding displacement camps, cutting off food, water, medical supplies, and humanitarian assistance, while subjecting the city to recurring shelling and ground assaults. Civilians were increasingly trapped, as escape routes were restricted or closed, and forced to endure conditions of life progressively incompatible with human survival.” This 18-month siege culminated in a 3-day rampage in October 2025, where survivors describe the slaughter of civilians, mass executions, and crimes against humanity. El-Fasher University “became one of the bloodiest execution sites in the city.” According to survivors, over a hundred civilians were gunned down or executed as they sought shelter or attempted to flee. Survivors described notorious RSF commander Abu Lulu, known as the “Butcher of El-Fasher”, asking a pregnant woman how far she was in her pregnancy and then firing seven bullets into her abdomen when she replied that she was seven months along. He at one point said, “I was planning to kill 2000 people today, but I lost count, so I will start all over again.” In the case of El-Saudi Hospital, RSF forces stormed the hospital and “proceeded to search the wards and killing those they found, including patients, accompanying persons and medical personnel…it is estimated that over 460 patients and others present were killed.” Flight didn’t bring safety, according to survivors, as “The Rapid Support Forces pursued fleeing civilians along escape routes…where they had established ambushes and checkpoints…the perpetrators chasing people in open fields, firing at them with automatic rifles and mounted submachine guns, and running over fleeing persons with vehicles, causing mass casualties.” The horrors were visible from space, with satellite images analyzed by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab showing bodies piled up in the streets, pools of blood on the ground, and mass burial sites. The siege of El Fasher lasted for over 500 days, and the ensuing atrocities were widely foreseen and repeatedly forewarned by the United Nations, intelligence from the U.S. State Department and foreign governments, humanitarian monitors, and researchers. We remain greatly concerned by this administration’s grave failure to act despite the chorus of alarm bells. What occurred in El Fasher is a stark warning of what could unfold in El Obeid and across Sudan if this administration—and the international community—continues this current pattern of inaction. And now those alarm bells are ringing once again – this time in El Obeid. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on July 3, “This is not a drill. It is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world. Their phones should be running hot in the coming days and weeks, with ideas on how to prevent atrocity crimes in El Obeid and in other places in Kordofan.” Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said of El Obeid on June 30, “Too often in this brutal war, clear warnings have been ignored. Civilians have paid the price. The international community must make itself heard. We cannot say we were not warned.” The State Department has also recognized that this is a critical moment. On June 22, the State Department spokesperson warned of “alarming indications that mass atrocities could be imminent” and said “the RSF and their allied forces must cease any actions that could endanger civilians, impede humanitarian assistance, or contribute to further atrocities and suffering.” On June 23, State Department Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said that he spoke with RSF leadership and “strongly urged them to halt any actions that could endanger civilians in and around El Obeid.” And this Administration has repeatedly affirmed, including in July 2025, that “The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide.” In November 2025, you yourself said that the RSF is “clearly receiving assistance from outside” and that “something needs to be done to cut off the weapons and the support the RSF is getting as they continue their advances.” The evidence is clear – the United Arab Emirates is the primary external backer of the RSF, providing unparalleled military, financial, and technical support to the group. In May 2026, a new report by Human Rights Watch found that the UAE trained hundreds of Colombian mercenaries who then “took part in combat in and around El Fasher and, according to media reports, provided training to RSF recruits–including child soldiers”. In February 2026, a Reuters investigation found that Ethiopia has built a secret camp to train thousands of RSF fighters, and that the UAE financed the construction of the camp and provided military trainers and logistical support. This follows U.S. intelligence from October 2025, including separate reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the State Department’s intelligence bureau, that “show an increase in the flow of materiel from the U.A.E. to the rebel Rapid Support Forces since the spring.” These findings are part of a large and growing body of credible evidence that the UAE is both arming and providing military support to the RSF. Now, an estimated 500,000 civilians are at risk in El Obeid, including many who have sought shelter there after fleeing RSF attacks across the Kordofan region. The encirclement and systematic crippling of resources in El Obeid increasingly parallels El Fasher, and this administration must use its leverage and influence to prevent a repeat of El Fasher’s horrors in El Obeid before it is too late. We urge this administration to take concrete actions to prevent such mass atrocities in El Obeid, including by ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to the UAE and other external actors that are fueling this war. We also request an update on what other actions the administration is taking, beyond just words, to prevent mass atrocities in El Obeid and to help bring this war to an end. We request a response to this letter by August 17, 2026. ###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-senate-340b-bipartisan-working-group-roll-out-bill-to-strengthen-access-to-discount-prescription-drugs/,"Hickenlooper, Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group Roll Out Bill to Strengthen Access to Discount Prescription Drugs",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"340B Drug Pricing Discount Program provides discounted prescription drugs to hospitals, community health centers serving vulnerable communities Bill strengthens 340B program WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Tammy Baldwin, John Boozman, Shelley Moore Capito, Tim Kaine, and Jerry Moran, members of the Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group, introduced the sweeping SUSTAIN 340B Act to reform the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which provides discounted prescription drugs to health care providers that serve vulnerable, low-income, and underserved patients. “The input we have received from stakeholders has been invaluable throughout our process, and the legislation we are introducing reflects that feedback by aiming to provide greater stability, clarity, and transparency in the 340B program,” said the senators in a joint statement. “The SUSTAIN 340B Act makes comprehensive reforms to the program while preserving the critical benefits it provides to eligible health care providers and the patients they serve throughout the country. By continuing to work together in bipartisan fashion, we are committed to strengthening the 340B program and helping make certain it remains accessible to serve patients and communities for years to come.” The 340B program requires drug manufacturers that participate in Medicaid provide certain covered entities – including non-profit health care providers, such as hospitals and community health centers – a discount on outpatient drugs. The Senate 340B working group was established to find comprehensive legislative solutions to make sure the program can continue to achieve its intended goal of supporting hospitals serving vulnerable populations like rural communities. Specifically, their bipartisan SUSTAIN 340B Act would: Contract Pharmacy – Codify covered entities’ use of contract pharmacies while placing reasonable limitations including registration, audits of covered entities with a large number of contract pharmacies, and standardization of contractual requirements between covered entities and contract pharmacies. The bill does not place numeric or geographic limitations on the use of contract pharmacies. Patient Definition – Establish the definition of an eligible patient under the 340B program and covered services for these patients. It also adds requirements and oversight for 340B patients being dispensed 340B drugs through referrals to non-covered entities. 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program – End any 340B Rebate Model program within one year and require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) transition to the clearinghouse established in the legislation. Child Sites – Establish that child sites must be wholly owned and integrated with the parent covered entity, disincentivizes child site acquisitions with the sole purpose of expanding 340B footprints, and directs HHS to establish registration and oversight procedures. Transparency – Place new annual reporting requirements on covered entities relating to their utilization of the 340B program. Program Integrity – Give HHS authority to establish auditing and reporting procedures for compliance under the 340B program and authorize removal of covered entities who are found in noncompliance and do not implement corrective action plans. Safeguards to Prevent Duplicate Discounts – Establish a 340B data clearinghouse operated by an independent, third-party entity to prevent diversion and duplicate discounts in the 340B program. Patient Financial Assistance – Require covered entities to establish a standard, transparent patient financial assistance policy for patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Equitable Treatment of Covered Participants – Prevent insurers from discriminating against 340B covered entities and their contract pharmacies. User Fee Program – Establish a user fee program for participation in the 340B program to pay for program administration, including the clearinghouse. Studies and Reports – Require reports to Congress on hospital debt collection practices, dispensing fees, and data collection system integration. Additional Resources – Authorize three million dollars annually for five years for conducting oversight and enforcement and nine million dollars annually for four years for bill implementation. Sense of Congress – Reiterate the original intent of the 340B program and clarify the program provides point-of-purchase discounts, as opposed to rebates. Definitions – Establish definitions for “child site” and “contract pharmacy.” Full text of the legislation available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/10/bennet-padilla-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-stop-illegal-voter-roll-purges-before-election-day/,"Bennet, Padilla, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Stop Illegal Voter Roll Purges Before Election Day",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over federal elections, joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and 26 Senate colleagues to demand the Trump administration adhere to the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) “quiet period” that prohibits large-scale voter purges within 90 days of an election, pushing back against the Trump Administration’s ongoing voter suppression efforts. In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, the senators reminded the Trump administration to adhere to the law and refrain from supporting, assisting, or coercing states into conducting mass voter purges prior to the November midterm elections. The Trump administration has demanded voter information from all 50 states, losing 20 lawsuits and counting in the process, and a separate court has barred it from misusing federal databases in illegal attempts to remove voters from state voter rolls. In July, President Trump and Secretary Mullin escalated these attacks as part of their ongoing efforts to force states to purge voters ahead of the November general election in a presidential speech and subsequent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference. The letter copies the chief election officers for all 50 states. “We are writing to remind you that any efforts directing states to conduct mass voter purges, including by using the deeply flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to purge voter rolls, would violate the 90 day ‘quiet period’ mandated by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Under the NVRA, election officials are supposed to complete any program for ‘systematically’ removing ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day. This statutory protection was included to protect eligible voters who may be (and in many cases have been) removed as part of state voter list maintenance activities,” wrote the senators. The senators warned that federal courts have ruled against mass voter purges conducted in violation of the NVRA’s “quiet period.” “In various lawsuits, federal courts have ruled against states that attempted systemwide voter list removals during the ‘quiet period,’ including those made under the pretext of removing noncitizen voters. Outside the 90-day quiet period, voter list maintenance is an important function, but noncitizen voting remains extremely rare. Federal law addresses these incidents through criminal penalties, including financial penalties and imprisonment,” continued the senators. The senators reiterated that use of the DHS’ modified SAVE program, already blocked by federal courts for bulk voter list analysis purposes, would be considered illegal activity in the next 90 days, and condemned Mullin’s continued push to advance the program. They also urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to abandon any efforts to obtain state voter rolls, highlighting the agency has lost every federal court case so far. “We must re-emphasize that current use of the SAVE program for list maintenance is illegal, and efforts to coerce states to conduct mass voter purges during the ‘quiet period’ are also illegal under the NVRA, despite DOJ arguments to the contrary in recent court filings. The DOJ should also drop its litigation to obtain state voter rolls and its continued threats to prosecute election officials. As you know, DOJ has lost every federal case seeking to obtain states’ unredacted voter lists so far. We remain deeply opposed to the waste of taxpayer funds and attacks on state election officials involved with DOJ’s continued attempts to compel states to hand over unredacted voter rolls,” concluded the senators. The senators requested the agencies provide confirmation that they will comply with the NVRA by August 7 to prevent any voter suppression prior to Election Day. Bennet has consistently fought against blatant efforts from the Trump Administration and Republicans to undermine federal elections. In May 2026, Bennet released a statement following the release of the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed rule that would implement part of President Trump’s executive order attacking mail in voting. In April 2026, Bennet joined Padilla and 36 of their colleagues to introduce the Mail and Absentee Voter Protection Act, legislation that would block Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order that attacks Coloradans’ ability to cast mail-in ballots. In March 2026, Bennet condemned the SAVE America Act on the Senate floor and called out Trump for holding the Senate hostage to pass this legislation. In April 2025, he spoke on the Senate floor, calling out the SAVE Act that would make it harder for millions of American citizens to register and exercise their right to vote, including women and voters in rural communities across the country. In February 2025, Bennet slammed Trump for sowing distrust in elections. In July 2023, Bennet and his Democratic colleagues introduced the Freedom to Vote Act to improve Americans’ access to the ballot, invest in state election infrastructure, strengthen campaign finance disclosure requirements, and ensure our elections are free from interference. In addition to Bennet and Padilla, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) signed the letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche and Secretary Mullin: The 2026 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, less than 90 days away. We are writing to remind you that any efforts directing states to conduct mass voter purges, including by using the deeply flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to purge voter rolls, would violate the 90-day “quiet period” mandated by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). This long-standing prohibition includes providing states with any incomplete and unverifiable voter roll analysis conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAVE program, the use of which has also been enjoined by a D.C. federal district court. Relatedly, in light of this prohibition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should drop its ongoing litigation to compel states to provide access to their voter registration lists and acquiesce to unlawful federal list maintenance. While we have previously expressed our concern about these tactics, we remind you of the settled law protecting voters in the lead up to an election and urge you to cease these efforts immediately. Under the NVRA, election officials are required to complete any systematic removal of ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day. This statutory protection was included to protect eligible voters who may be — and in many cases have been —erroneously removed as part of state voter list maintenance activities. In various lawsuits, federal courts have ruled against states that attempted systemwide voter list removals during the “quiet period,” including those made under the pretext of removing noncitizen voters. Outside the 90-day quiet period, voter list maintenance is an important function, but noncitizen voting remains extremely rare. Federal law addresses these incidents through criminal penalties, including financial penalties and imprisonment. Over the last year, the demonstrated inaccuracies of DHS’s modified SAVE program have been proven to result in the removal of eligible voters from the voter rolls prior to the “quiet period.” On June 22, 2026, following several months of litigation in League of Women Voters v. Department of Homeland Security, a D.C. federal district court set aside and vacated the 2025 modified SAVE program, finding it was “contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, and without observance of procedure required by law.” The court ordered DHS to undo the newly established bulk upload feature and dismantle its connection to sensitive Social Security Administration data. Given this ruling, Secretary Mullin’s continued promotion of the SAVE program for voter list maintenance purposes during a July 17, 2026, press conference was inappropriate, as were his unsupported claims that multiple states have significant noncitizen voter registrations. Even more alarmingly, DHS is attempting to condition Homeland Security Grant Program funds that protect Americans from disasters and terrorist attacks on use of the SAVE program. Therefore, we must re-emphasize that current use of the SAVE program for list maintenance is illegal, and efforts to coerce states to conduct mass voter purges during the “quiet period” are also illegal under the NVRA, despite DOJ arguments to the contrary in recent court filings. The DOJ should also drop its litigation to obtain state voter rolls and its continued threats to prosecute election officials. As you know, DOJ has lost every federal case seeking to obtain states’ unredacted voter lists so far. We remain deeply opposed to the waste of taxpayer funds and attacks on state election officials involved with DOJ’s continued attempts to compel states to hand over unredacted voter rolls. The Trump Administration has done nothing to address concerns that this is all in service of an effort to create a nationwide voter file to be shared across the Executive Branch — and possibly with other unauthorized, partisan actors. At an absolute minimum, DOJ must abstain from any unlawful attempts to pressure states into conducting large-scale voter purges during the 90-day “quiet period.” Please confirm your agencies will comply with the NVRA, and any relevant court orders, no later than August 7, 2026. Any continued actions that may directly or indirectly coerce or assist states in conducting sweeping voter purges that violate federal law and infringe on Americans’ right to vote are unacceptable. ###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/10/bennet-statement-on-trump-undermining-childhood-vaccines-as-colorado-kids-return-to-school/,Bennet Statement on Trump Undermining Childhood Vaccines as Colorado Kids Return to School,2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encouraging states to reconsider school immunization requirements: “Just as Colorado kids are heading back to school, President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are doubling down on an anti-science agenda that rejects decades of proven medical consensus. “Parents deserve far better than the chaos, confusion, and scarcity this administration is actively creating. We have already seen the real-world consequences of declining vaccination rates, including the largest measles outbreaks our country has faced in decades. Overturning settled vaccine guidance and encouraging the erosion of school immunization standards puts our children directly in harm’s way. “Instead of undermining public trust and throwing back-to-school preparations into turmoil, we must focus on keeping our children safe and our schools open.” ###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-neguse-cassidy-introduce-bill-to-build-americorps-and-national-guard-partnership-bolster-community-resilience/,"Hickenlooper, Neguse, Cassidy Introduce Bill to Build AmeriCorps and National Guard Partnership, Bolster Community Resilience",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Bill would help fill wildland firefighting positions among others WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, along with Senator Bill Cassidy, introduced the National Guard for National Service Act to establish a formal partnership between AmeriCorps and the National Guard. The bill would launch a pilot program to train National Guard and Reserve service members in areas of critical national security importance. “Members of the National Guard and AmeriCorps have service ingrained in everything they do,” said Hickenlooper. “Service members who want to continue serving their country should have more opportunities to give back. We’re excited to see a pilot program like this scaled nationwide.” “Colorado’s National Guard members always answer the call to serve, and their pilot partnership with AmeriCorps has equipped Colorado servicemembers with specialized training for meaningful career advancement while also strengthening community resilience,” said Neguse. “I am proud to introduce the National Guard for National Service Act, which takes a proven Colorado success story and expands its reach nationwide. This bill will create opportunities for National Guard members to continue their commitment to service by participating in AmeriCorps and receiving specialized training that protects our communities, supports local workforce needs, and opens the door for future careers in public service.” “Whether it’s protecting families from crime or lending a helping hand after a hurricane, every Louisianian can attest to the invaluable role of the National Guard and AmeriCorps,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By empowering guardsmen to partner with AmeriCorps, we make our communities safer.” Specifically, the bill establishes a nationwide employment and training pipeline to connect part-time National Guard and Reserve service members with career development opportunities such as: Protecting essential infrastructure like transportation, energy, communications, and water management systems. Strengthening the cybersecurity of local and Tribal governments, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits. Efforts to expand community preparedness for and resilience to major disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes. A similar initiative, the Colorado National Guard/AmeriCorps Wildland Fire Mitigation Crew, was piloted last year in Colorado. Members of the Colorado National Guard received training in wildland firefighting, and two pursued full-time wildland firefighting positions following their service year. The successful program is planning to return next year. “Colorado is proud to have established the nation’s first National Guard-AmeriCorps partnership, demonstrating that national service can strengthen critical infrastructure and community resilience while building valuable workforce skills. For example, through our pilot which focused on wildfire mitigation through forest thinning, chainsaw operations, and fire prevention efforts, members earned nationally recognized wildland firefighting certifications. This legislation recognizes the power of innovative cross-sector partnerships to advance both national security and community resilience, and we are excited to see Congress consider scaling this model so Colorado and other states across our country can benefit from its proven impact,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “Combining the strengths of the National Guard and AmeriCorps does more than protect our forests and local communities, it builds real career pathways for Guardsmen fulfilling their dual mission to state and nation. Having seen this program in action firsthand, I know this partnership represents the very best of community-driven innovation. I’m grateful to Senators Hickenlooper and Cassidy and Representative Neguse for their bipartisan leadership in bringing this proven Colorado model to communities nationwide,” said Major General Robert Davis, Adjutant General of Colorado. Hickenlooper is a strong supporter of AmeriCorps and creating workforce training opportunities. When the Trump administration cut AmeriCorps funding and staff last year, Hickenlooper highlighted the work of its members in Colorado and demanded the cuts be reversed. He’s also introduced legislation like the Lifelong Learning Act, allocating additional resources to workforce training programs that address current shortages. Full text of the National Guard for National Service Act can be found HERE. A one-pager on the bill can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-rebuke-trumps-move-to-strip-protections-from-bears-ears-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monuments-2/,"Hickenlooper, Colleagues Rebuke Trump’s Move to Strip Protections From Bears Ears, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Ben Ray Luján, Martin Heinrich and 34 of their Senate colleagues called out President Trump’s attack on the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in southern Utah. “By attempting, yet again, to eliminate vast portions of these monuments, your Administration invites needless uncertainty to the stability that local communities, Tribes, land managers, scientists, recreation users, and businesses need. Not just in Utah, but for all local communities that rely on the stability of our national monuments,” the senators wrote. “The Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are national treasures. The American people deserve public lands policy grounded in law, science, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and stewardship – not political decisions against the desires of the vast majority of Americans.” In the letter, the senators highlighted how the executive order puts irreplaceable cultural, historic, scientific, ecological, and recreational resources at risk of destruction and loss. Hickenlooper previously called out the decision, highlighting how the president’s decision threatens public lands across the country. “This is a blatant attack on public lands everywhere. Our public lands are part of our shared heritage. Removing protections and paving the way for mining and drilling on beloved landscapes goes against the values of the West,” said Hickenlooper on his social media. Hickenlooper has been outspoken against Trump administration cuts to public lands and led an effort against the administration’s plans to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule. Hickenlooper also helped lead the fight against Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off more than three million acres of public lands. The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Mr. President: We write to express our strong opposition to your July 13, 2026, proclamations that stripped protections for Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. These actions attempt to remove nearly three million acres from monument protection and placed irreplaceable cultural, historic, scientific, ecological, and recreational resources at risk of destruction and loss. National monuments have preserved our country’s unique public lands, extraordinary history, and common culture for 120 years. Grand Staircase-Escalante, established in 1996, contains world-class paleontological resources, the ancestral and current homelands of multiple Tribal Nations, striking geologic formations, unique plants and animals, stunning dark night skies, and landscapes that support robust local outdoor recreation economies. Bears Ears, established in 2016, is America’s first truly tribally-driven national monument. The proposal was led by five sovereign Tribal Nations. Each monument is a living cultural landscape with deep spiritual and ancestral importance to multiple Tribal Nations, including the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indian Tribe and the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. These places are not abstractions on a map; they are homelands and sacred sites that deserve enduring protection, and enhanced recognition secured by the previous monument declaration. We are especially troubled that the Bears Ears proclamation disbanded the Bears Ears Commission, a landmark model of collaborative management between sovereign Tribal Nations and the federal government. Tribal leaders have made clear that Bears Ears is a sacred ancestral homeland, and that decisions affecting it must be made through meaningful government-to government consultation. The Department of the Interior had previously committed to meeting with the Bears Ears Commission if changes to the monument were under consideration; no such meeting occurred before these proclamations were signed. Any major policy action regarding these culturally important places requires meaningful government-to-government consultation. National monuments enjoy widespread public support and serve as economic drivers across the United States. The outdoor recreation economy generates $1.3 trillion in gross output and accounts for $9.75 billion in Utah alone. The localities surrounding national monuments have seen growth in income and employment since their designations. We reject the premise that monuments are incompatible with rural prosperity or responsible public access. Despite your false claims that people cannot walk, hunt or fish in these monuments, monument designations support outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, hunting and fishing, scientific research, grazing under appropriate management, and durable local economies. At the same time, monument status prevents the loss of cultural and natural resources that cannot be replaced once damaged. By attempting, yet again, to eliminate vast portions of these monuments, your Administration invites needless uncertainty to the stability that local communities, Tribes, land managers, scientists, recreation users, and businesses need. Not just in Utah, but for all local communities that rely on the stability of our national monuments. The Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are national treasures. The American people deserve public lands policy grounded in law, science, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and stewardship—not political decisions against the desires of the vast majority of Americans. We stand with Tribal Nations, local communities, scientists, conservationists, outdoor recreation businesses, and Americans across the country who believe these landscapes should remain protected. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-rebuke-trumps-move-to-strip-protections-from-bears-ears-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monuments/,"Hickenlooper, Colleagues Rebuke Trump’s Move to Strip Protections from Bears Ears, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Ben Ray Luján, Martin Heinrich and 34 of their Senate colleagues called out President Trump’s attack on the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in southern Utah. “By attempting, yet again, to eliminate vast portions of these monuments, your Administration invites needless uncertainty to the stability that local communities, Tribes, land managers, scientists, recreation users, and businesses need. Not just in Utah, but for all local communities that rely on the stability of our national monuments,” the senators wrote. “The Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are national treasures. The American people deserve public lands policy grounded in law, science, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and stewardship – not political decisions against the desires of the vast majority of Americans.” In the letter, the senators highlighted how the executive order puts irreplaceable cultural, historic, scientific, ecological, and recreational resources at risk of destruction and loss. Hickenlooper previously called out the decision, highlighting how the president’s decision threatens public lands across the country. “This is a blatant attack on public lands everywhere. Our public lands are part of our shared heritage. Removing protections and paving the way for mining and drilling on beloved landscapes goes against the values of the West,” said Hickenlooper on his social media. Hickenlooper has been outspoken against Trump administration cuts to public lands and led an effort against the administration’s plans to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule. Hickenlooper also helped lead the fight against Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off more than three million acres of public lands. The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Mr. President: We write to express our strong opposition to your July 13, 2026, proclamations that stripped protections for Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. These actions attempt to remove nearly three million acres from monument protection and placed irreplaceable cultural, historic, scientific, ecological, and recreational resources at risk of destruction and loss. National monuments have preserved our country’s unique public lands, extraordinary history, and common culture for 120 years. Grand Staircase-Escalante, established in 1996, contains world-class paleontological resources, the ancestral and current homelands of multiple Tribal Nations, striking geologic formations, unique plants and animals, stunning dark night skies, and landscapes that support robust local outdoor recreation economies. Bears Ears, established in 2016, is America’s first truly tribally-driven national monument. The proposal was led by five sovereign Tribal Nations. Each monument is a living cultural landscape with deep spiritual and ancestral importance to multiple Tribal Nations, including the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indian Tribe and the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. These places are not abstractions on a map; they are homelands and sacred sites that deserve enduring protection, and enhanced recognition secured by the previous monument declaration. We are especially troubled that the Bears Ears proclamation disbanded the Bears Ears Commission, a landmark model of collaborative management between sovereign Tribal Nations and the federal government. Tribal leaders have made clear that Bears Ears is a sacred ancestral homeland, and that decisions affecting it must be made through meaningful government-to government consultation. The Department of the Interior had previously committed to meeting with the Bears Ears Commission if changes to the monument were under consideration; no such meeting occurred before these proclamations were signed. Any major policy action regarding these culturally important places requires meaningful government-to-government consultation. National monuments enjoy widespread public support and serve as economic drivers across the United States. The outdoor recreation economy generates $1.3 trillion in gross output and accounts for $9.75 billion in Utah alone. The localities surrounding national monuments have seen growth in income and employment since their designations. We reject the premise that monuments are incompatible with rural prosperity or responsible public access. Despite your false claims that people cannot walk, hunt or fish in these monuments, monument designations support outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, hunting and fishing, scientific research, grazing under appropriate management, and durable local economies. At the same time, monument status prevents the loss of cultural and natural resources that cannot be replaced once damaged. By attempting, yet again, to eliminate vast portions of these monuments, your Administration invites needless uncertainty to the stability that local communities, Tribes, land managers, scientists, recreation users, and businesses need. Not just in Utah, but for all local communities that rely on the stability of our national monuments. The Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are national treasures. The American people deserve public lands policy grounded in law, science, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and stewardship—not political decisions against the desires of the vast majority of Americans. We stand with Tribal Nations, local communities, scientists, conservationists, outdoor recreation businesses, and Americans across the country who believe these landscapes should remain protected. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/08/bennet-hickenlooper-crow-degette-neguse-pettersen-demand-answers-from-dhs-on-aurora-detention-facility-shooting/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper, Crow, DeGette, Neguse, Pettersen Demand Answers From DHS on Aurora Detention Facility Shooting",2026-08-08,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senator John Hickenlooper and Colorado U.S. Representatives Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, and Brittany Pettersen in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers following last month’s shooting by a GEO Group employee near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora that left one person injured. The lawmakers also called for a thorough review of the Department’s policies to help prevent similar incidents. The letter seeks answers about DHS and ICE’s coordination with local law enforcement, employee training, contractor vetting, security protocols, and the steps the agencies are taking to strengthen oversight and prevent harmful incidents. “We write to express our concern over the July 16, 2026 shooting of a 21-year-old woman near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora, Colorado. While we are relieved that her injuries were not life-threatening, we must ensure that personnel operating at federal immigration detention facilities are adequately screened and trained to prevent incidents like this one,” wrote the lawmakers. “The incident in Aurora, and the broader pattern of shootings involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel across the country, undermine public trust and threaten community safety. As members of the Colorado Congressional delegation, we are responsible for defending the constitutional rights of our constituents and protecting our communities and our law enforcement. The events in Aurora raise questions about whether current DHS policies and practices keep communities, protesters, and law enforcement safe. We believe a thorough review of the Department’s policies is necessary to ensure that similar incidents do not recur,” continued the lawmakers. Bennet has consistently fought against the Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies. In July, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 37 of their Senate colleagues in calling for stronger accountability measures for ICE officers. In May 2026, Bennet introduced three bills aimed at reforming the DHS, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP): the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act; the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act; and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act. In March 2026, Bennet issued a statement when Trump fired former Secretary Noem, and emphasized that DHS must undergo a complete overhaul, which is only the first step toward DHS reforms. In January 2026, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results (PUBLIC SAFETY) Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’ long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Secretary Mullin: We write to express our concern over the July 16, 2026 shooting of a 21-year-old woman near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora, Colorado. While we are relieved that her injuries were not life-threatening, we must ensure that personnel operating at federal immigration detention facilities are adequately screened and trained to prevent incidents like this one. According to the Aurora Police Department, GEO Group employees reporting for their shifts that day were unable to enter the facility because of protest activity. Police allege that two protesters verbally confronted GEO employees and photographed their vehicles before walking away. One employee then retrieved a personally owned firearm and fired in their direction, striking one woman in the foot. He has been charged with seven offenses, including attempted second-degree murder. Immigration enforcement officers and the contractors supporting them have an obligation to protect public safety while exercising restraint and professionalism. Protests outside immigration detention centers are routine occurrences. An agency responsible for operating secure facilities should be equipped to maintain safe access, communicate with employees, coordinate with local law enforcement, and prevent confrontations between the community and facility personnel from escalating. Just as we believe law enforcement should never be targeted with violence, we believe lawful protesters should be protected – not attacked – by federal officials or those contracted by the government. The incident in Aurora, and the broader pattern of shootings involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel across the country, undermine public trust and threaten community safety. As members of the Colorado Congressional delegation, we are responsible for defending the constitutional rights of our constituents and protecting our communities and our law enforcement. The events in Aurora raise questions about whether current DHS policies and practices keep communities, protesters, and law enforcement safe. We believe a thorough review of the Department’s policies is necessary to ensure that similar incidents do not recur. Given this urgent need, we request written responses to the following questions by August 14, 2026: What coordination has DHS and ICE undertaken with state and local law enforcement to manage public demonstrations while ensuring employees can safely access their places of work? What will that coordination look like moving forward? What de-escalation, use-of-force, crisis intervention, threats against employees, and crowd-management training is required for DHS personnel and contractor employees assigned to ICE facilities? What training has been provided to the employees at the Aurora facility concerning de-escalation, use-of-force, crisis intervention, threats against employees, and crowd-management training? Which of these trainings did the employee charged in the July 16 shooting complete and on which dates did he complete them? What screening and vetting procedures does DHS require for contractor personnel before they are assigned to ICE facilities? What screening was conducted for the individual charged in the July 16 shooting? What policies and operational plans do DHS and ICE have in place to protect both protesters and employees outside DHS and ICE facilities, including contracted facilities? Does ICE require its detention contractors to designate alternative entrances, transportation arrangements, or other measures for employees during demonstrations or other disruptions to access? GEO Group has placed the employee on unpaid leave and stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement. Beyond the ongoing investigation, what additional steps will DHS and ICE take to determine whether similar vulnerabilities exist at other contracted detention facilities? How will DHS and ICE strengthen oversight of its personnel and contractors and prevent similar incidents from occurring? In addition to providing the information above, we urge the Department to conduct an independent review of its security procedures, contractor oversight, employee training, and firearms policies, especially as they relate to anticipated confrontations, and to make its findings and recommendations publicly available. We appreciate your prompt attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response. ###",1,2026-08-09T05:47:57Z,2026-08-09T05:49:40Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/08/colorado-and-utah-senators-honor-casualties-from-wildfires/,Colorado and Utah Senators Honor Casualties from Wildfires,2026-08-08,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and Utah U.S. Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis to introduce a bipartisan resolution honoring Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of wildland firefighting efforts in the United States. “Our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and fellow firefighters grieving the loss of the five wildland firefighters who gave their lives protecting others,” said Bennet. “Today’s resolution honors the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who risk their lives to keep their fellow Americans safe during wildfires.” “The bravery and heroism of these firefighters deserves our deepest gratitude,” said Hickenlooper. “Our hearts are with the families and friends of these heroic men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting lives, homes, and the landscapes we all cherish.” “Last month, five courageous firefighters gave their lives to protect the people we love and the frontier we call home,” said Lee. “These brave Americans from across the country dropped into the eye of the storm via helicopter to fight the wildfires ripping through Utah’s eastern border. Their sacrifice will always be remembered in the lands they protected. Utah’s prayers are with the families grieving these heroes.” “Behind every wildfire are brave men and women who embody the very best of public service: courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, often at great personal risk,” said Curtis. “My heart is with the families, friends, and fellow firefighters mourning the devastating loss of these heroes.” Bennet has consistently fought to secure protections and support for firefighters. In April 2025, Bennet and Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse reintroduced the Tim’s Act to overhaul federal wildland firefighter compensation and benefits. In July 2026, Bennet joined U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to introduce The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act to help state, local, and Tribal government agencies monitor worsening air pollution caused by wildfires and make more informed public health decisions. In January 2026, Bennet secured a waiver to the annual pay cap for wildland firefighters based on an amendment he introduced with Senator Sheehy. In June 2026, Bennet joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in introducing the PFAS Alternatives Act, which would support the development of next-generation protective gear to better protect firefighters. In October 2020, Bennet called for reforms to wildland firefighter pay and benefits. In September 2021, after securing many of these reforms in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Bennet joined a group of senators in a letter urging the Biden Administration to implement them swiftly. The text of the resolution is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-09T05:47:57Z,2026-08-09T05:49:40Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-votes-no-on-todd-blanches-confirmation/,Hickenlooper Votes NO on Todd Blanche’s Confirmation,2026-08-08,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Blanche has flip-flopped on giving taxpayer funds to election criminals like Tina Peters and J6 rioters WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper voted NO on the Senate confirmation vote of Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Attorney General of the United States. “Mr. Blanche will not be an impartial check on the President,” said Hickenlooper earlier this week in a speech on the Senate floor. “We cannot allow a fox to guard the henhouse. We need an Attorney General who is loyal to the Constitution—not to President Trump. Mr. Blanche is not that person.” In his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche has declared Trump’s unprecedented $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” as “dead” and rescinded the order setting up the anti-weaponization fund this week through a letter. However, the settlement’s terms can be changed only via a written agreement from the Trump family and the government. On Saturday, Trump still supports the fund, saying: “It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done.” January 6th insurrectionists who beat and killed police officers during the attack on the Capitol expect compensation from the fund, as well as election criminals like Tina Peters. Hickenlooper introduced an amendment to the last Republican reconciliation bill that would permanently stop Trump from giving a taxpayer-funded payout to Tina Peters, which Republicans blocked. “For months, Mr. Blanche has insisted the Department of Justice slush fund is dead. Yet as recently as this weekend, President Trump was saying the exact opposite,” said Hickenlooper earlier this week in a speech on the Senate floor. “So when Mr. Blanche says the slush fund isn’t moving forward, don’t believe him. Not for one second. His word is worth about as much as the Trump meme coin.” Last week on a private call hosted by the White House Faith Office, Blanche showed support for restricting medication abortion and said that he wants “to get permanent solutions so the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state.” After the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Blanche as Deputy Attorney General led the disclosure of documents of survivors’ names, photos and identifying information, but omitted the names of accused abusers and enablers. Blanche also enabled Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files until Congress forced the disclosure. For a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks on Blanche’s nomination earlier this week, click HERE. ###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/07/bennet-statement-on-senate-passage-of-russia-sanctions-legislation/,Bennet Statement on Senate Passage of Russia Sanctions Legislation,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Finance Committee, released the below statement after voting to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Bennet was an original co-sponsor of the legislation, a version of which he supported for over a year, to impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms supporting Russia’s defense industrial base. “Today, the Senate took a significant step to support the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression. This legislation will impose greater pressure on Putin to end his unprovoked war by denying him key oil and gas revenue and placing further sanctions on the architects of Russia’s war economy – which is already under strain thanks to the combined weight of existing U.S. and allied measures. “This vote could not have come soon enough. Ukraine is seizing the momentum on the battlefield and increasingly taking the fight to Moscow. Only by demonstrating our firm resolve can the United States and our allies support Ukraine’s pursuit of a just and durable end to this war and successfully defend the principle of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. The House must take up this legislation as soon as possible when they return in September. And the Senate must do everything we can to support Ukraine — including by passing my legislation to bolster intelligence and drone cooperation.” Bennet’s bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act served as the legislative vehicle for passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026: “This bill also incorporates my bipartisan SEED Act, which allows early childhood educators to claim the same tax deduction available to elementary and secondary school teachers. As the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, I know firsthand how often educators dip into their own pockets to provide school supplies for their students – this bill ends an unfair double standard and ensures that those who teach our youngest kids are not left behind.” For more information on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, see HERE. For more information on Bennet’s SEED Act, see HERE. ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-welcomes-federal-funding-for-colorado-school-of-mines-to-boost-american-tech-mining-workforce/,"Hickenlooper Welcomes Federal Funding for Colorado School of Mines to Boost American Tech, Mining Workforce",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"The Colorado School of Mines will reportedly receive more than $32 million for a tech development hub WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement welcoming reports that the Colorado School of Mines will receive $32.7 million in federal funding to support a tech development hub. “We won’t achieve our clean energy future – nor compete with China – without shoring up our critical minerals supply and developing our workforce. “Colorado School of Mines is already the beating heart of American innovation and mining education. This investment will help advance American leadership in critical minerals.” Currently, there are only about 600 students in mining programs in the U.S. compared to China’s more than 12,000 students. Securing U.S. critical mineral supply chains and countering China’s dominance in the industry will require the U.S. to reinvest in our mining workforce. Hickenlooper has long called for a ‘Project Mercury’ for critical materials, arguing that America needs to take back the reins on critical minerals production in order to effectively address climate change and unlock secure, affordable energy. Specifically, the federal funding will help level up America’s mining, metallurgical, geological, and mineral workforce. In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has led and co-sponsored multiple other critical minerals related bills, including: His bipartisan Mining Schools Act of 2025 to bolster America’s declining mining workforce and help secure our clean energy future. The bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies. His bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for sustainable critical minerals and recycling research innovation. His bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects. His bipartisan Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Reauthorization Act to fund the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Earth MRI program, which improves our understanding of critical minerals, geothermal potential, and other subsurface resources across the country. His bipartisan Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration (Finding ORE) Act to strengthen U.S. mineral security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities. ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/06/bennet-hickenlooper-introduce-legislation-to-mitigate-mountain-pine-beetle-outbreaks-in-response-to-colorado-wildfires/,"Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Mitigate Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks In Response to Colorado Wildfires",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Hickenlooper introduced the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act to mitigate the growing mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado. Colorado faces warming weather and prolonged drought, creating the perfect conditions for the spread of the mountain pine beetle in Ponderosa pine forests across the state. Recent surveys from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Colorado State Forest Service show a large and growing outbreak of mountain pine beetle on Colorado’s Front Range. While pine beetles and wildfire are part of the natural ecology of Colorado forests, climate conditions and decades of fire suppression have made this outbreak severe, increasing hazardous fire conditions and putting watersheds and recreational assets at risk. The outbreak is especially concerning given its close proximity to highly populated areas. “As we face extreme drought and historic high temperatures, Colorado must work together to keep our forests healthy,” said Bennet. “This legislation will provide new tools and resources for partners at every level to work together to address the growing outbreak and protect communities on Colorado’s Front Range.” “Record drought, devastating wildfires, and a new outbreak of mountain pine beetles are pushing Colorado forests to the brink,” said Hickenlooper. “If we want to protect forest health, we need an all-in approach that puts resources where they’re needed and brings partners together at every level. Protecting our forests means protecting our communities.” The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act will provide grant opportunities to local partners working in coordination with the Forest Service to mitigate mountain pine beetle threats on National Forest System land. This legislation will also create a Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response Program within the USFS. In addition, the legislation includes measures to prevent, monitor, and respond to mountain pine beetle outbreaks through cooperative agreements with states directed by the Forest Service. These efforts will provide localities with increased resources and a framework that focuses on responding to developing outbreaks before they cause widespread and extensive damage. “Colorado is taking swift action to combat the impacts of the mountain pine beetle outbreak, and we need strong federal partnerships to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This bill would strengthen state opportunities and partnerships and bring additional resources to high-priority needs, helping to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure. I thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congresswoman Pettersen for working together to support our efforts to combat the Mountain Pine Beetle, protect Colorado communities, and help us meet this growing challenge with the urgency it demands.” “Colorado’s forests have faced years of extreme drought leading to an extensive mountain pine beetle outbreak along Colorado’s front range in areas with some of the highest wildfire risk and population densities.” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The introduced legislation, the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act, will enable close coordination between federal, state, Tribal, and local governments and provide critical funding resources to get on the ground work complete. We appreciate Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper for leading the introduction of these bills in the United States Senate and we also extend gratitude to Representative Pettersen for leading this effort in the U.S. House. It’s vital we work together and are coordinated in our responses to reduce the impact of the mountain pine beetle outbreak with a focus on protecting property, reducing wildfire risk, and restoring our forests so future generations can enjoy our iconic ponderosa pine forests.” “Mountain pine beetles are a natural part of Colorado’s forests, but the current outbreak is affecting some of our state’s most populated areas,” said Matt McCombs, Colorado State Forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service. “Forests in these areas already have a high wildfire risk, and an abundance of beetle-killed trees can further threaten homes, watersheds and recreation areas and complicate emergency response. We’ve been here before in Colorado, so this is not cause for panic. It is cause for vigilance, preparation and action.” “That preparation starts with acknowledging that mountain pine beetles don’t recognize ownership boundaries, and neither can our response. I am committed to working alongside our federal partners to address this outbreak and want to thank Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Representative Pettersen for their continued leadership and dedication to the future of Colorado’s forests. These bills invest in the partnerships, workforce and wood utilization capacity needed to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risk and support Colorado communities.” As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, Bennet has been a champion of Colorado’s forests for years. In February 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Protect the West Act, to make a $60 billion investment in forest health and watershed restoration. In March 2025, Bennet and John Curtis (R-Utah) reintroduced the Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act and the Making Access to Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act. These bipartisan bills improve and expedite emergency watershed recovery efforts by removing bureaucratic barriers that delay disaster response and by empowering local partners to initiate forest and watershed recovery measures. In September 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Headwaters Protection Act to invest in America’s forests and watersheds by expanding two key USFS programs. The two programs together prevent water pollution at the source, improve the health of our watersheds, and ensure investments benefit downstream communities. Bennet has also consistently pushed USFS to respond to drought, prioritize hazardous fuels reduction, and reduce wildfire risk. In March 2026, Bennet urged USFS Chief Tom Schultz to prioritize proactive wildfire mitigation efforts in the West. In December 2025, Bennet urged Schultz to address persistent staffing shortages and mounting setbacks to wildfire risk reduction efforts across the West and the country. Colorado Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) led companion legislation for this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. The text of the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/06/bennet-statement-on-farm-bill-markup/,Bennet Statement on Farm Bill Markup,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after voting against the 2026 Farm Bill in Committee: “I am disappointed we could not get to a bipartisan Farm Bill today. Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and families across the state need support now more than ever, and this bill fails to deliver. At a time when families are already struggling to afford groceries, Republicans are working to make SNAP even more inaccessible, all while placing the financial burden on states and the backs of hardworking families. For Colorado, this bill would be a devastating blow to our already strained budget. It also does little to meet the increasing demands caused by historic drought and worsening fire seasons across the West, and fails to make any meaningful investments in nutrition, conservation, specialty crops, forestry, or Western agriculture. “Current Farm Bill policies are not working for today’s agricultural economy and are simply reinforcing a broken status quo. We need to examine why that is, rather than just polishing around the edges. The Committee must deliver a comprehensive multi-year bill ensuring certainty not just among agriculture producers, but for the people who rely on this legislation to put food on the table. “For these reasons, and for the first time in my career, I voted against advancing a Farm Bill. We have to go back to the table and engage in true bipartisan negotiations in order to serve the best interests of farmers and families in Colorado and across the country.” ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-introduces-war-powers-resolution-to-end-iran-war/,Hickenlooper Introduces War Powers Resolution to End Iran War,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Hickenlooper has voted 13 times to end the Iran war WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper introduced a War Powers Resolution directing President Trump to terminate U.S. military hostilities against Iran. The introduction comes as Trump continues to escalate tensions, warning Iran that ongoing talks are its “last chance” to reach a deal “before decapitation.” “President Trump’s illegal war in Iran has been a complete and total disaster that has cost American lives, sent prices skyrocketing, and drained our military stockpiles,” said Hickenlooper. “We are now meaningfully worse off than we were before the war began, and it’s essential Congress to step in to end it if Trump won’t. We need to get out of Iran and get back to lowering costs for working families.” To date, Hickenlooper has voted 13 times to end the Iran War. He has consistently condemned the administration for sidestepping Congress and dragging America into a war with no clear objective – one that risks American lives, raises costs here at home, and that Americans overwhelmingly oppose. He has released video statements in response to Trump’s unhinged press conference and violent Truth Social posts where he threatened to “destroy a whole civilization.” He has taken to the Senate floor to denounce Trump’s illegal war in Iran and blast the preliminary and now defunct deal that the Trump administration touted in June. In July, Hickenlooper spoke out about President Trump’s efforts to further escalate the war. A concurrent resolution on Iran war powers has already passed both chambers. The Senate could consider Hickenlooper’s legislation next month. ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/jamie-foxx-celebrates-passage-of-hickenlooper-moran-booker-bill-to-boost-down-syndrome-research/,"Jamie Foxx Celebrates Passage of Hickenlooper, Moran, Booker Bill to Boost Down Syndrome Research",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Bill heads to the President desk for signature WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to permanently authorize and expand federal funding for Down syndrome research. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act is named after DeOndra Dixon, the late younger sister of Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy Award-winning musician Jamie Foxx. A Global Down Syndrome Foundation ambassador and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee, Dixon died in 2020 at age 36. “DeOndra brought so much joy, love and light into our lives, and she was incredibly proud to be a GLOBAL Ambassador and advocate,” said Jamie Foxx. “My family and I are deeply grateful to Michelle and the GLOBAL team, and to Senators John Hickenlooper and Jerry Moran for their leadership and commitment to passing the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. Knowing that DeOndra’s name and advocacy will help people with Down syndrome live longer, healthier lives means more to us than words can express.” “Today is a historic day for the hundreds of thousands of Americans with Down syndrome and their families,” said Hickenlooper. “DeOndra Dixon was an extraordinary person and advocate whose legacy will help improve lives for generations. We’re proud the bill that bears her name will finally give Down syndrome research the investment it deserves, and we look forward to the breakthroughs it will deliver. We’re especially grateful to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the Crnic Institute, and all of the tireless advocates who helped get this important bill across the finish line.” “This legislation will strengthen the critical research that helps improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and supports their families,” said Sen. Moran. “Research funded by the NIH has already led to meaningful advancements, but more work remains. By authorizing continued federal investments in scientific research focused on Down syndrome, this legislation will help scientists better understand the health challenges these individuals face and advance new solutions to improve care and outcomes. I’m pleased that both chambers passed this legislation unanimously and look forward to it being signed into law.” “Every year, roughly 6,000 babies are born in the United States with Down syndrome. And while life expectancy has improved significantly, too many individuals still face heightened risks for serious medical conditions,” said Senator Booker. “I’m grateful that this bipartisan legislation has finally passed — it will reauthorize essential research funding, expand clinical trials, and strengthen our commitment to improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families.” “Senator Hickenlooper has been a dear friend and unwavering champion of GLOBAL and the Down syndrome community since his service as Mayor of Denver and Governor of Colorado. Today, he has helped deliver a truly historic victory,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act will honor the memory and extraordinary advocacy of our beloved GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon by permanently authorizing the INCLUDE Project, the first NIH-wide Down syndrome research program. GLOBAL helped catalyze the creation of the INCLUDE Project, which is already advancing transformative research into Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysregulation, cancer, sleep apnea, and other serious conditions affecting people with Down syndrome and millions of other Americans. We are profoundly grateful to Senator Hickenlooper for his leadership and tenacity in helping ensure this life-saving research continues and grows for generations.” The INCLUDE Project was launched in June 2018 to further research on health and quality-of-life needs for individuals with Down syndrome. The project investigates conditions that affect individuals with Down syndrome and the general population, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, autism, cataracts, celiac disease, congenital heart disease, and diabetes. Full text of the legislation available HERE. The legislation is led by Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and is also cosponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). ###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-bennet-introduce-bill-to-combat-pine-beetle-outbreak/,"Hickenlooper, Bennet Introduce Bill to Combat Pine Beetle Outbreak",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Michael Bennet introduced the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act to mitigate the growing mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado. “Record drought, devastating wildfires, and a new outbreak of mountain pine beetles are pushing Colorado forests to the brink,” said Hickenlooper. “If we want to protect forest health, we need an all-in approach that puts resources where they’re needed and brings partners together at every level. Protecting our forests means protecting our communities.” “As we face extreme drought and historic high temperatures, Colorado must work together to keep our forests healthy,” said Bennet. “This legislation will provide new tools and resources for partners at every level to work together to address the growing outbreak and protect communities on Colorado’s Front Range.” Colorado is facing record drought, creating perfect conditions for the spread of the mountain pine beetle in Ponderosa pine forests across the state. Recent surveys from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Colorado State Forest Service show a large and growing outbreak of mountain pine beetle on Colorado’s Front Range. While pine beetles and wildfire are part of the natural ecology of Colorado forests, climate conditions and decades of fire suppression have made this outbreak severe, increasing hazardous fire conditions and putting watersheds and recreation at risk. The outbreak is especially concerning given its close proximity to highly populated areas. The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act would: Provide grant opportunities to local partners working in coordination with the Forest Service to mitigate mountain pine beetle threats on National Forest System land. Create a Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response Program within the USFS. Help prevent, monitor, and respond to mountain pine beetle outbreaks through cooperative agreements with states directed by the Forest Service, providing localities with increased resources and a framework that focuses on responding to developing outbreaks before they cause widespread and extensive damage. “Colorado is taking swift action to combat the impacts of the mountain pine beetle outbreak, and we need strong federal partnerships to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This bill would strengthen state opportunities and partnerships and bring additional resources to high-priority needs, helping to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure. I thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congresswoman Pettersen for working together to support our efforts to combat the Mountain Pine Beetle, protect Colorado communities, and help us meet this growing challenge with the urgency it demands.” “Colorado’s forests have faced years of extreme drought leading to an extensive mountain pine beetle outbreak along Colorado’s front range in areas with some of the highest wildfire risk and population densities.” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The introduced legislation, the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act, will enable close coordination between federal, state, Tribal, and local governments and provide critical funding resources to get on the ground work complete. We appreciate Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper for leading the introduction of these bills in the United States Senate and we also extend gratitude to Representative Pettersen for leading this effort in the U.S. House. It’s vital we work together and are coordinated in our responses to reduce the impact of the mountain pine beetle outbreak with a focus on protecting property, reducing wildfire risk, and restoring our forests so future generations can enjoy our iconic ponderosa pine forests.” “Mountain pine beetles are a natural part of Colorado’s forests, but the current outbreak is affecting some of our state’s most populated areas,” said Matt McCombs, Colorado State Forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service. “Forests in these areas already have a high wildfire risk, and an abundance of beetle-killed trees can further threaten homes, watersheds and recreation areas and complicate emergency response. We’ve been here before in Colorado, so this is not cause for panic. It is cause for vigilance, preparation and action. That preparation starts with acknowledging that mountain pine beetles don’t recognize ownership boundaries, and neither can our response. I am committed to working alongside our federal partners to address this outbreak and want to thank Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Representative Pettersen for their continued leadership and dedication to the future of Colorado’s forests. These bills invest in the partnerships, workforce and wood utilization capacity needed to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risk and support Colorado communities.” Hickenlooper believes Colorado needs an all-in approach to combat the increased risk of wildfire across Colorado, including pine beetle outbreaks. Hickenlooper’s bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which would strengthen wildfire resilience by improving forest management, supporting fire-safe communities, and streamlining approvals for projects that protect communities and ecosystems from extreme wildfires, is awaiting a final vote on the Senate floor. U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Joe Neguse led companion legislation for The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Full text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/05/bennet-husted-introduce-legislation-to-help-make-first-time-homeownership-more-affordable/,"Bennet, Husted Introduce Legislation to Help Make First-Time Homeownership More Affordable",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act. This bill would help first-time homebuyers by allowing them to put unused education savings toward a down payment. “Across Colorado, too many young people and working families struggle to afford their first home,” said Bennet. “This bill would allow first-time homebuyers to use the savings they already have to cover a down payment and help put homeownership within reach.” “I’m focused on helping working families get ahead and making life more affordable,” said Husted. “Making homeownership more attainable is a critical part of that effort. Too many Ohioans have worked hard, saved responsibly and still struggle to afford a down payment. By freeing up existing resources, I’m proud this bipartisan bill gives first-time homebuyers another tool to use in pursuing their version of the American Dream.” The First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act would allow individuals to transfer up to $35,000 in leftover savings from their 529 education savings account penalty-free to purchase their first home. 529 college savings accounts are state-administered accounts used by families to save for education and other related expenses. Traditionally, unused funds in 529 accounts can only be used for trade school, graduate school, student loan payments, or transferred to a retirement account. By freeing up existing resources for first-time homebuyers, the bill would remove barriers to making a down payment and help more families afford a home. “Downpayment hurdles continue to block many families from owning a home. The First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act provides a common-sense solution that empowers first-time buyers to use their own savings—at no cost to taxpayers. MBA looks forward to supporting this and other efforts in Congress to expand sustainable homeownership,” said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs at Mortgage Bankers Association. U.S. Representatives Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) introduced the companion bill to the First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bennet has continuously worked to address the affordable housing crisis. In March 2026, Bennet co-sponsored a key provision in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that would put an additional $4 billion toward building affordable housing, making homeownership possible for working families. In December 2025, Bennet joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and a group of bipartisan Senate colleagues to introduce the More Homes on the Market Act, making housing more available and affordable by amending the tax code to allow sellers to exclude additional funds from capital gains taxes. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-crow-bennet-degette-neguse-pettersen-demand-answers-from-dhs-on-aurora-detention-facility-shooting/,"Hickenlooper, Crow, Bennet, DeGette, Neguse, Pettersen Demand Answers From DHS on Aurora Detention Facility Shooting",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and Representative Jason Crow led Senator Michael Bennet and Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, and Brittany Pettersen in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers following last month’s shooting by a GEO Group employee near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora that left one person injured. The lawmakers also called for a thorough review of the Department’s policies to help prevent similar incidents. The letter seeks answers about DHS and ICE’s coordination with local law enforcement, employee training, contractor vetting, security protocols, and the steps the agencies are taking to strengthen oversight and prevent harmful incidents. “We write to express our concern over the July 16, 2026 shooting of a 21-year-old woman near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora, Colorado,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers. “While we are relieved that her injuries were not life-threatening, we must ensure that personnel operating at federal immigration detention facilities are adequately screened and trained to prevent incidents like this one.” The lawmakers continued: “The incident in Aurora, and the broader pattern of shootings involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel across the country, undermine public trust and threaten community safety. As members of the Colorado Congressional delegation, we are responsible for defending the constitutional rights of our constituents and protecting our communities and our law enforcement. The events in Aurora raise questions about whether current DHS policies and practices keep communities, protesters, and law enforcement safe. We believe a thorough review of the Department’s policies is necessary to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.” Read the full text of the letter HERE and below. Dear Secretary Mullin, We write to express our concern over the July 16, 2026 shooting of a 21-year-old woman near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Aurora, Colorado. While we are relieved that her injuries were not life-threatening, we must ensure that personnel operating at federal immigration detention facilities are adequately screened and trained to prevent incidents like this one. According to the Aurora Police Department, GEO Group employees reporting for their shifts that day were unable to enter the facility because of protest activity. Police allege that two protesters verbally confronted GEO employees and photographed their vehicles before walking away. One employee then retrieved a personally owned firearm and fired in their direction, striking one woman in the foot. He has been charged with seven offenses, including attempted second-degree murder. Immigration enforcement officers and the contractors supporting them have an obligation to protect public safety while exercising restraint and professionalism. Protests outside immigration detention centers are routine occurrences. An agency responsible for operating secure facilities should be equipped to maintain safe access, communicate with employees, coordinate with local law enforcement, and prevent confrontations between the community and facility personnel from escalating. Just as we believe law enforcement should never be targeted with violence, we believe lawful protesters should be protected – not attacked – by federal officials or those contracted by the government. The incident in Aurora, and the broader pattern of shootings involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel across the country, undermine public trust and threaten community safety. As members of the Colorado Congressional delegation, we are responsible for defending the constitutional rights of our constituents and protecting our communities and our law enforcement. The events in Aurora raise questions about whether current DHS policies and practices keep communities, protesters, and law enforcement safe. We believe a thorough review of the Department’s policies is necessary to ensure that similar incidents do not recur. Given this urgent need, we request written responses to the following questions by August 14, 2026: What coordination has DHS and ICE undertaken with state and local law enforcement to manage public demonstrations while ensuring employees can safely access their places of work? What will that coordination look like moving forward? What de-escalation, use-of-force, crisis intervention, threats against employees, and crowd-management training is required for DHS personnel and contractor employees assigned to ICE facilities? What training has been provided to the employees at the Aurora facility concerning de-escalation, use-of-force, crisis intervention, threats against employees, and crowd-management training? Which of these trainings did the employee charged in the July 16 shooting complete and on which dates did he complete them? What screening and vetting procedures does DHS require for contractor personnel before they are assigned to ICE facilities? What screening was conducted for the individual charged in the July 16 shooting? What policies and operational plans do DHS and ICE have in place to protect both protesters and employees outside DHS and ICE facilities, including contracted facilities? Does ICE require its detention contractors to designate alternative entrances, transportation arrangements, or other measures for employees during demonstrations or other disruptions to access? GEO Group has placed the employee on unpaid leave and stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement. Beyond the ongoing investigation, what additional steps will DHS and ICE take to determine whether similar vulnerabilities exist at other contracted detention facilities? How will DHS and ICE strengthen oversight of its personnel and contractors and prevent similar incidents from occurring? In addition to providing the information above, we urge the Department to conduct an independent review of its security procedures, contractor oversight, employee training, and firearms policies, especially as they relate to anticipated confrontations, and to make its findings and recommendations publicly available. We appreciate your prompt attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-requests-swift-doi-investigation-into-knowles-fire-tragedy/,Hickenlooper Requests Swift DOI Investigation Into Knowles Fire Tragedy,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper sent a letter to the Department of the Interior requesting a swift and thorough investigation into the Knowles Fire that tragically resulted in the deaths of four firefighters and injured one other. “A comprehensive and timely investigation into the moments and decisions that led to these heartbreaking losses will not only help families find solace, it will provide us with information we need to save future lives,” Hickenlooper wrote. “This investigation will provide a critical window into the final moments of the four members of the Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew who lost their lives—Nick Hutcherson, Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nathan Matthews—in responding to the Knowles fire that day, along with a fifth wildland firefighter who is still recovering from severe burns.” He continued: “We have confidence that your investigation will include a full analysis of decisions made on the day of the event, as well as higher-level direction that led to the Rifle Helitack Crew’s response that day. This should incorporate an analysis of management decisions and structures that informed on-the-ground operations that day—including the structure of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) itself, which has not been authorized by Congress… Additionally, the review should analyze the directive to presume a “full suppression strategy applied to every wildfire under DOI management,” despite scientific evidence that a maximum suppression approach makes wildfires more severe over time.” Last week, Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to pay tribute to the fallen fighters and demand action to prevent more destructive wildfires, which have already burned more than 240,000 acres across Colorado this year. Read the full text of the letter HERE and below: Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Rollins: We write to urge you to work swiftly and thoroughly on your investigation into the incident on the Gore and Knowles Fires on June 27, 2026, that led to the tragic deaths of four firefighters. A comprehensive and timely investigation into the moments and decisions that led to these heartbreaking losses will not only help families find solace, it will provide us with information we need to save future lives. This investigation will provide a critical window into the final moments of the four members of the Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew who lost their lives—Nick Hutcherson, Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nathan Matthews—in responding to the Knowles fire that day, along with a fifth wildland firefighter who is still recovering from severe burns. As we mourn the lives of those lost and maintain hopes for the fifth crew member’s full recovery, more information about the entirety of the incident can support the healing of loved ones and the questions of the community. We have confidence that your investigation will include a full analysis of decisions made on the day of the event, as well as higher-level direction that led to the Rifle Helitack Crew’s response that day. This should incorporate an analysis of management decisions and structures that informed on-the-ground operations that day—including the structure of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) itself, which has not been authorized by Congress. This review should examine whether the formation or management of the USWFS played any role in decisions regarding response to the Knowles fire. Additionally, the review should analyze the directive to presume a “full suppression strategy applied to every wildfire under DOI management,” despite scientific evidence that a maximum suppression approach makes wildfires more severe over time. Both the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior have seen major staffing losses over the past two years. Morale has been concerningly low for the wildland firefighters remaining in their positions. We recognize that like us, you prioritize and deeply value the safety of our wildland firefighters. We believe that your investigation, and full analysis of what happened leading up to and on the day of June 27, will support that shared safety ethic and reinforce the morale of our public servants. We appreciate your prompt attention to this pressing matter. We request an interim briefing for our offices and regular updates on the progress of your investigation. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/watch-hickenlooper-slams-trumps-attorney-general-nominee-on-senate-floor/,WATCH: Hickenlooper Slams Trump’s Attorney General Nominee on Senate Floor,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"Todd Blanche has flip-flopped on giving taxpayer funds to election criminals like Tina Peters and J6 rioters Blanche also wants abortion restrictions “permanent in every state” and was involved in Trump admin’s Epstein Files coverup WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to oppose President Trump’s nominee to serve as Attorney General of the United States, Todd Blanche. “For months, Mr. Blanche has insisted the Department of Justice slush fund is dead. Yet as recently as this weekend, President Trump was saying the exact opposite,” said Hickenlooper on the Senate floor. “So when Mr. Blanche says the slush fund isn’t moving forward, don’t believe him. Not for one second. His word is worth about as much as the Trump Meme Coin.” Watch and download Hickenlooper’s speech on the Senate floor HERE In May, the Trump administration announced an unprecedented $1.8 billion fund to compensate election criminals like Tina Peters. The “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is part of a settlement that resolves President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns, and would be paid for by taxpayer money. January 6th insurrectionists who beat and killed police officers during the attack on the Capitol expect compensation from the fund, as well as election criminals like Tina Peters. In his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche has declared the fund is “dead” and rescinded the order setting up the anti-weaponization fund this week through a letter. However, the settlement’s terms can be changed only via a written agreement from the Trump family and the government. On Saturday, Trump still supports the fund, saying: “It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done.” Hickenlooper introduced an amendment to the last Republican reconciliation bill that would permanently stop Trump from giving a taxpayer-funded payout to Tina Peters, which Republicans blocked. “At a time when working families are struggling with rising costs, the last people the federal government should subsidize are those who attack our elections,” continued Hickenlooper. “The DOJ slush fund isn’t dead. It’s dormant. Until Congress permanently closes this avenue through legislation, we shouldn’t rely on assurances alone. If there’s even a chance this fund could be revived, this confirmation—this moment—is when this chamber and its members have the greatest leverage to act.” Last week on a private call hosted by the White House Faith Office, Blanche showed support for restricting medication abortion and said that he wants “to get permanent solutions so the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state.” “When he says behind closed doors that he wants the Dobbs v. Jackson decision to become, in his words, “permanent in every state,” we should believe him. Whether it’s abortion access or access to the ballot box, we should have little confidence that he will not target Colorado—or other blue states—because that’s exactly what his employer wants,” said Hickenlooper on the Senate floor. After the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Blanche as Deputy Attorney General led the disclosure of documents of survivors’ names, photos and identifying information, but omitted the names of accused abusers and enablers. Blanche also enabled Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files until Congress forced the disclosure. For a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks as prepared for delivery is available below: “Mr. President, The Senate is currently considering the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General is one of the most important positions in our government. Not only does the Attorney General serve as a trusted member of the President’s Cabinet, but he or she also leads the Department of Justice—the agency responsible for enforcing our laws impartially. That’s a difficult job in any administration. Under this President—who values personal loyalty above all else—it may very well be impossible. During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Blanche was asked about his relationship with President Trump. He responded, “I’m his lawyer,” before quickly correcting himself to say he previously was his lawyer. That wasn’t a slip. It was a tell. Mr. Blanche will not be an impartial check on the President. And here’s another tell. For months, Mr. Blanche has insisted the Department of Justice slush fund is dead. Yet as recently as this weekend, President Trump was saying the exact opposite. He defended the fund. So when Mr. Blanche says the slush fund isn’t moving forward, don’t believe him. Not for one second. His word is worth about as much as the Trump Meme Coin. During reconciliation, we introduced an amendment to permanently end the DOJ slush fund. Despite bipartisan support, it ultimately failed. That means taxpayers could still be on the hook for people who attacked our democracy. At a time when working families are struggling with rising costs, the last people the federal government should subsidize are those who assault our elections. People like election criminal Tina Peters, who tried to undermine Colorado’s free and fair elections. People like the January 6 rioters who stormed this very chamber in an attempt to tear apart our democracy. The DOJ slush fund isn’t dead. It’s dormant. Until Congress permanently closes this avenue through legislation, we shouldn’t rely on assurances alone. If there’s even a chance this fund could be revived, this confirmation—this moment—is when this chamber and its members have the greatest leverage to act. We should not surrender that leverage for promises that can be undone at the President’s whim. A DOJ letter promising to end the slush fund isn’t law. It isn’t binding. And it isn’t enough! To be clear, we don’t believe Mr. Blanche will break all of his promises. When he says behind closed doors that he wants the Dobbs v. Jackson decision to become, in his words, “permanent in every state,” we should believe him. Whether it’s abortion access or access to the ballot box, we should have little confidence that he will not target Colorado—or other blue states—because that’s exactly what his employer wants. We cannot allow a fox to guard the henhouse. We need an Attorney General who is loyal to the Constitution—not to President Trump. Mr. Blanche is not that person. I strongly oppose his confirmation and urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.” ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/04/bennet-joins-legislation-to-hold-putin-accountable-for-religious-persecution-in-ukraine/,Bennet Joins Legislation to Hold Putin Accountable for Religious Persecution in Ukraine,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C— Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined the Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expose and punish Russia’s systematic persecution of religious communities in Ukraine, including territory Russia illegally occupies. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) lead the Senate bill, while Congressmen Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) lead the House counterpart. The legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report to Congress on Russia’s efforts to persecute, suppress, and violate the religious freedoms of faith communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on individuals found to have engaged in those abuses. “Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is not just about changing borders by force – it’s a war on the Ukrainian people and their faith,” said Bennet. “His troops have jailed and tortured clergy, bombed churches and synagogues, and forced the faithful to worship in secret. The United States must call out Putin’s abuses in Ukraine and hold perpetrators accountable.” Bennet has fought relentlessly to support the Ukrainian people and impose more pressure on Putin to end his war of aggression against Ukraine. Earlier this month, Bennet led seven colleagues in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent urging the Trump Administration to crack down on a Russian state-backed cryptocurrency sanctions evasion network funding Russia’s war. He also voted to advance major bipartisan legislation he co-sponsors to impose sanctions on Putin’s inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms supporting Russia’s defense industrial base. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan bills to impose sanctions on specific Russian oil ships and entities trading in Russian oil, respectively. Earlier this year, Bennet wrote an op-ed in EURACTIV urging the United States and like-minded allies to form a coalition to cooperatively and immediately wield Russian sovereign assets on Ukraine’s behalf. In December 2025, Bennet led a bipartisan letter to Belgian Ambassador to the U.S. Frédéric Bernard, expressing support for European efforts to leverage Russian sovereign assets to finance a loan for Ukraine. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan legislation to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to support Ukraine. This would build on the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, which Bennet co-sponsored and which President Joe Biden signed into law in April 2024. Additionally, Bennet leads legislation in the Senate defense and intelligence bills, both of which have passed their respective committees, to bolster drone and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine. In addition to Bennet, Kennedy, and Wilson, Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and David McCormick (R-Pa.) co-sponsor this legislation. The text of the bill is available HERE. ###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/08/04/bennet-murray-heinrich-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-restore-funding-for-illegally-canceled-and-politically-targeted-energy-projects/,"Bennet, Murray, Heinrich, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted Energy Projects",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,Michael F. Bennet,B001267,www.bennet.senate.gov,bennet,https://www.bennet.senate.gov/news/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, ranking member of the Finance subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure, joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to lead 36 senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Trump Administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. “Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump Administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies,” wrote the senators. “Once an administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly. This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President,” continued the senators. “At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk. For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding,” concluded the senators. Bennet has continuously fought to protect funding for Colorado’s energy projects and condemned partisan project reversals under the Trump Administration. In July 2026, Bennet joined Murray, Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding that Director Vought immediately rescind the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed power grab over federal grants and awards. In May 2026, Bennet joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Schumer, and 18 of his Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests. In October 2025, Bennet issued a statement following the Trump Administration’s targeted cancellation of billions of dollars in funding for energy projects across the country. That same week, Bennet led the Democratic Colorado Delegation in demanding answers from Secretary Wright on the Department of Energy’s abrupt cancellation of $7.56 billion in energy project funding, including over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated projects. Additionally, Bennet joined Murray, Heinrich, and 34 Senate colleagues in sending a letter demanding that Secretary Wright and Director Vought restore funding for all 223 energy projects in Democrat-led states that were unlawfully canceled. In November 2025, Bennet also demanded answers from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on the Department’s recent order requiring Secretary Burgum’s personal approval for routine wind and solar energy project permitting decisions. In addition to Bennet, Murray, and Heinrich, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif,), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Angus King (I-Maine) signed the letter. All 36 Democratic Senators from states with canceled grants and funding signed the letter. The text of the letter is available HERE and below. Secretary Wright and Director Vought: Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump Administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies. In October 2025, we wrote to you to express strong opposition to the Administration’s callous decision to unlawfully terminate $8 billion in federal investments for 223 energy projects. You not only acted outside the bounds of the law, but canceled projects that would have provided jobs, onshored manufacturing, and lowered skyrocketing energy prices. Congress authorized those projects and appropriated funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriation bills. At the time of the termination of those projects, we expressed outrage that the terminations appeared politically motivated and confined to states that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried in the 2024 presidential election. The Administration has now admitted in federal court what it denied to Congress and the American people. On July 24, 2026, citing court filings, The New York Times reported that the Trump Administration acknowledged that it terminated more than $7.5 billion of grants due to political motivations. In a two-step process, the Department of Energy (DOE) first recommended more than 600 grants for potential termination, including grants in states represented by both Republicans and Democrats. It appears the Office of Management and Budget then selected all the grants in “Blue States” for cancellation, which DOE executed. In court filings, DOE’s lawyers conceded that the cancellations occurred “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state.” Specifically, as the court filings stated, “[w]ith one exception, the 284 terminated grants had a recipient location and/or at least one place of performance in a state that awarded its electoral votes to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and has two Democratic-caucusing Senators (“Blue State” grants).” Similar grants in Red States, however, remained intact and were not the subject of termination. What’s more, DOE lawyers conceded that the decision to terminate these blue state grants was not “based on any programmatic, statutory, cost-reduction, or performance-based factor.” Once an Administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly. This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President. At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the Administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk. For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding. ###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-colleagues-demand-trump-admin-restore-funding-for-energy-projects-that-were-illegally-canceled-and-politically-targeted/,"Hickenlooper, Colleagues Demand Trump Admin Restore Funding for Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted",2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"$600M in Colorado projects were illegally cancelled by the Trump admin WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 38 of his Senator colleagues to demand that the Trump administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects cancelled in October 2025, including $600M for Colorado energy projects. The Trump administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. “Once an administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly,” the senators wrote. “This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country – not merely those who support the President.” The senators continued: “At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them – not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk. For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding.” Last month, Hickenlooper launched an investigation into the Trump administration’s efforts to kill offshore wind energy projects after the Trump administration agreed to pay four companies more than $2.7 billion in taxpayer funding to abandon offshore wind projects. Hickenlooper has called out Republican attacks on clean energy and introduced the Lowering Electric Bills Act to protect clean energy projects. He introduced the Geo POWER Act to help deliver clean, affordable electricity across the country, the bipartisan Co-Location Energy Act to expedite the permitting and construction of wind and solar projects on existing federal agency leases. Hickenlooper was also instrumental in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested $373 billion in the climate and clean energy transition and continues to fight Trump administration attacks on the legislation and their attempts to hike energy costs for American families. Read the full text of the letter HERE and below: Secretary Wright and Director Vought: Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump Administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies. In October 2025, we wrote to you to express strong opposition to the Administration’s callous decision to unlawfully terminate $8 billion in federal investments for 223 energy projects. You not only acted outside the bounds of the law, but canceled projects that would have provided jobs, onshored manufacturing, and lowered skyrocketing energy prices. Congress authorized those projects and appropriated funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriation bills. At the time of the termination of those projects, we expressed outrage that the terminations appeared politically motivated and confined to states that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried in the 2024 presidential election. The Administration has now admitted in federal court what it denied to Congress and the American people. On July 24, 2026, citing court filings, The New York Times reported that the Trump Administration acknowledged that it terminated more than $7.5 billion of grants due to political motivations. In a two-step process, the Department of Energy (DOE) first recommended more than 600 grants for potential termination, including grants in states represented by both Republicans and Democrats. It appears the Office of Management and Budget then selected all the grants in “Blue States” for cancellation, which DOE executed. In court filings, DOE’s lawyers conceded that the cancellations occurred “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state.” Specifically, as the court filings stated, “[w]ith one exception, the 284 terminated grants had a recipient location and/or at least one place of performance in a state that awarded its electoral votes to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and has two Democratic-caucusing Senators (“Blue State” grants).” Similar grants in Red States, however, remained intact and were not the subject of termination. What’s more, DOE lawyers conceded that the decision to terminate these blue state grants was not “based on any programmatic, statutory, cost-reduction, or performance-based factor.” Once an Administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly. This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President. At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the Administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk. For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding. ###",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-warren-call-on-regulators-to-strengthen-bank-supervision-rule-supporting-access-to-credit-for-small-businesses-and-consumers/,"Hickenlooper, Warren Call on Regulators to Strengthen Bank Supervision Rule Supporting Access to Credit for Small Businesses and Consumers",2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,CO,John W. Hickenlooper,H000273,www.hickenlooper.senate.gov,hickenlooper,https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Elizabeth Warren sent a letter urging federal banking regulators to strengthen proposed revisions to the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (known as “CAMELS”) to ensure that bank supervision is forward-looking, so bank management and supervisors address risks before they fester into more serious problems that threaten credit availability for small businesses and households. The letter was sent to Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman, Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould, FDIC Chairman Travis Hill, NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman, and Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought. “The failure of [Silicon Valley Bank] illustrates the need for the CAMELS rating system to require rigorous evaluation of the capabilities and performance of bank management and forward-looking bank supervision,” the senators wrote. “Exclusively identifying material weaknesses in banks’ financial statements today may miss an opportunity to catch emerging risks early and prevent a bank crisis tomorrow.” The senators detailed how “when Silicon Valley Bank failed, the federal government stepped in to keep the crisis from spreading…But the hidden cost from the crisis, which lasted far longer, was the significant reduction in credit available to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and consumers, particularly in rural and underserved areas.” In the letter the senators urged the agencies to revise the proposed amendments to the CAMELS ratings by: Restoring several references to the need for supervisors to evaluate bank management’s ability to “identify, monitor, measure, and control” risks, including emerging risks. Requiring that bank supervisors conduct a forward-looking assessment of risks that could develop into material financial risks. Read the full text of the letter HERE. ###",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z